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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4537, 5 October 1875, Page 2

The barometer has been very unsteady in its movements lately, and westerly gales were very generally felt in the South on Sunday last. A somewhat rapid fall of the glass set in in the North yesterday morning, and was followed by strong gales from the west. A late telegram from Grahamstown described the appearance of the weather os very threatening. We leam that Mr. McKirdy, the wellknown successful railway contractor, haa obtained the incline contract for tho Masterton railway at a figure something above £50,000,

' A private telegram, with, regard to the attempted'escape of Cyrus Haley from Dunedin gaol yesterday, states that ho had got as far as Patterson and Holieod’s bonded store, when he was shot dead, refusing to surrender. The Criminal Sittings of the Supreme Court were commenced yesterday, and good progress was made. The Chief Justice took his seat at 10 o’clock, and shortly afterwards delivered his charge to the Grand Jury. As usual, his Honor was brief and practical, and in the course of his remarks, severely reprobated the practice of travellers giving drink to coachmen who have a serions responsibility on their shoulders when in charge of coaches, especially on the narrow and dangerous roads of New Zealand. The Graud Jury found true bills in all cases except one, throwing out that filed against H. W. Campbell, who, as related in the New Zealand Times a few days ago, was charged with having obtained money under a false pretence from the N.Z.S.S. Company. On being arraigned, two prisoner’s pleaded guilty ; two were convicted ; Charles Nelson, charged with manslaughter’, was acquitted ; and two oases remain over for trial to-day, viz., that of Eliza Smith, charged with perjury, and that of a Maori, charged with assault and robbery. The court opens at 10 a.m.

A meeting of the Wellington Philosophical Society was held yesterday evening at the Council Chambers, the Vice-President, W. T. L. Travers, Esq., in the chair. After the minutes of the previous meeting were read, the Hon. Mr. Mantell read notes written by Mr. J. Buchanan on some new fishes lately added to the Museum, and a description of the present state of the Botanical Gardens, by the same gentleman. After some remarks on these papers, the discussion, adjourned from the last meeting, on Mr. Travers’s paper on the extinction of the moa was resumed, and an interesting letter from Judge Manning on the same subject was read by Mr. Kirk. The following three papers were then read :—“ Notes on the habits of the Frost Fish (Lepidopus candatus)" by Mr. C. H. Robson ; “ Is access to the sea a necessity to eels ?” by James Duigan ; and a paper on the “Probability of finding extensive coal deposits in the province of Wellington,” by J. C. Crawford. A discussion ensued on the first two of these papers, but the consideration of Mr. Crawford’s paper was adjourned till next meeting.

A telegram was received by Mr. O’Neill, M.H.R. for the Thames, from the Mayor of that place yesterday, stating that public opinion there was very strong against the Representation Bill. The opinion entertained was that it would be a great injustice to the Thames if that district were only allowed two members.

The Wellington College annual sports will be held on the Basin Reserve, on Monday, 18th October, the anniversary of the opening of the new College. His Excellency the Governor and Lady Normanby have signified their intention of being present. The entrance money is to be handed to the trustees of the Basin Reserve, for the improvement of the grounds. There is an excellent programme, including a race for old boys, the prizes for which are always contributed by the parents and friends of boys at the College. In the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before J. C. Crawford, Esq., R.M., six drunkards were fined in the usual penalties, while Anne Greer, for habitual drunkenness, was sentenced to one calendar months’ hard labor, and Elizabeth Burke, another incorrigible drunkard, was sentenced to three calendar mouths’ hai’d labor. There were two civil cases of little interest. Judgment for the amount claimed was given in one, and the other case was settled out of court.

A public meeting was held in Dunedin the other day, to protest against Mr. Donald Reid’s Bill for amending the Female Employment Act. It was moderately well attended, and resulted in resolutions condemnatory of that measure. The meeting doubtless originated from the annexed, which we take from the Otago Guardian : The following telegram was yesterday received from Mr. Bradshaw by a gentleman in Dunedin : —“ Donald Reid introduces a Bill amending the Female Employment Act, so that they may bo worked night or day, if not for more than eight hours. Very vicious. Action should at once be taken.”

The Theatre Royal was fairly attended last night, and the performance passed off satisfactorily. To-night, “ Meg’s Diversion ” is announced for performance. The Excelsior Variety Troupe are about to appear in Greytown and Masterton. They are highly praised by the Nelson Mail and Daily Times.