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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4595, 11 December 1875, Page 2

Very bad accounts of the effects of the flood come from Wairarapa and the Hutt. The Hutt, of course, is almost a sheet of water, but the floods have worked more considerable damage further up country. Thus communication with the Wairarapa has been almost stopped, owing to the over-charged condition of the river, which has been to such a height that an immense volume of water overflowed its banks, and covered the stretch of land dividing the river into the Silver Stream, with which it thus formed another connection higher up than the natural junction ; and the road is covered with water of such a depth that it is impossible to.pass it,las was found by a Mr. Stafford, who came into town yesterday. He had to travel by the railway line, which is formed as far as the Silver Stream bridge, but here again the flood had made itself felt, for the water had passed the concrete wall and carried away the earth foundation from the lines and sleeper’s. Several of the bridges have been damaged and roads washed away. At the Hutt, Mr (Sear’s slaughter-house was surrounded, so that he could not get at the meat, and a large accumulation of bones, carefully preserved for boiling down purposes, were carried away in different directions by the water which surrounded and penetrated the building. Later intelligence states that a number of bridges on the tramway to Chew’s sawmill, Porirua, have been carried away, and a lot of damage done, the repair of which will entail some considerable expense, to say nothing of loss of money in the consequent delay in operations. From every direction we hear of mischief done by the gale and weather generally, which however showed some signs of abatement yesterday, though there were intervals when the indications were threatening. ' In a supplement to our present issue will be found a report of a debate at a recent sitting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, at Christchurch, on the important question of education. Our views on this question are well known, and are largely in accord with those members of the Assembly who advocated a general secular system for the colony. Had we space we should comment on the report alluded to in our present issue. As it is we must defer comment to an early date. The new Presbyterian Church, Willis-street, will be opened for public worship to-morrow (Sunday). As will be seen from advertisement, the Rev. Mr. Elmslie, of Wanganui, will preach at 11 a.m. The Rev. Mr. Sidey, of Napier, will preach at 3 p.m., and afterwards at the evening service at 6.30 p.m. We would call special attention to the afternoon service at 3 p.m. It is hoped that on the interesting occasion of opening this very handsome new church there will be a crowded attendance. Indeed, we cannot doubt that there will be, seeing that two ministers so able, earnest, and popular are to conduct the services. A collection will be made at each service, which we hope will be worthy of the occasion. The Thorndnn RatHn arA to ho opened today, and to judge from the preparations which have been made by those desirous of celebrating the opening, it will bo a great success. There are to be aquatic sports in abundance—a programme has been published ; but in addition to the events there set down, we are informed that forty gentlemen have consented to appear in a performance described as aquatic gambols, consisting of the execution of different feats in the water, such as diving, floating, imitating porpoises, etc., the forty performer’s to act simultaneously at the word of command. The Governor will be in attendance, and a very large gathering may be expected of both sexes. There is ample room for over a thousand persons, and we are assured that the swimmers will be dressed so that feelings of delicacy need exclude none. These baths are most commodious, and fitted up with an idea to comfort. There are forty-five dres-sing-rooms ; also platforms, spring-boards, liferopes, etc. ; indeed, nothing is wanting, and there is no reason to doubt that these baths will be largely patronised. It may be remembered that at the time of the last elections for the Wellington Education Board, one Patrick Monaghan, a prominent promoter of Mr. T. W. L. Travers’ candidature for the Country Districts, made most disgraceful accusations against Mr. Toomath, who subsequently headed the poll. Mi - . Travers, who is content to use any weapons which he thinks may lead to victory, refused, when challenged, to reject the support of one who, like Monaghan, had so misconducted himself. The support did not do him much good, for he was deservedly and decidedly beaten, and that, too, by a gentleman not possessed of the moat overwhelming claims to the coveted position. Since then Mr. Toomath took proceedings against Monaghan, and as a result a very humble apology from the latter appears in our advertising columns this day. The road or track to the Kaiwarra schoolroom, where Mr. Brandon held his meeting last night, is not nice to travel on, and is very suggestive of certain alpine and mountainous performances that one reads of in the “ Maid of Guraten.” Before the late rain the pedestrian had to travel along a narrow track on the hill side, with a creek below containing boulders. Now the rain has washed all traces of a track away, and much difficulty was experienced in getting to the schoolhouse by the electors, members of the Press, and the candidate for political honors. Indeed, it was a beautiful and exhilarating sight to see the latter gentleman hopping from crag to crag with the utmost good nature and a display of li'ditneas scarcely to be expected in a candidate who had not yet unburdened himself of his pent-up eloquence on matters political. Mr. Gillon, one of the candidates for the Wellington Country District, addressed a well attended meeting of the electors at Karori last evening. Between thirty and forty were present. C. C. Graham, Esq., J.P., occupied the chair, and briefly introduced Mr. Gillon, stating that he himself was perfectly impartial, being pledged to no one. Mr. Gillon addressed the meeting at some length on the various subjects of political interest at the present time, and afterwards answered a number of questions to the apparent satisfaction of those present. On the motion of Mr. ,1. D. Frazer a vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Gillon, and the meeting concluded with a similar compliment to the chairman. The Wesleyan Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Society held their usual half-yearly reunion tea meeting in Dixon-street schoolroom last night. After a good tea supplied by Mr, Dixon, the Rev. W. Morley took the chair, and called upon the secretary (Mr J. E. Read) to read the report. The choir rendered several glees, &c., in n very [creditable manner. The evening was spent in readings and recitations by the members of the society, which wore given in an exceedingly good manner. A New Zealand Ou:ette was issued yesterday, containing regulations under the Stamp Act of 1875, certain Transfer Act notices, and statements of gold mining companies.

A cricket match between the Wellington Club and the Colts Club will be played on the Basin Reserve to-day. Arrangements are being made for sending a team of cricketers from Wellington to play a match at Marton with the Marton Club. The Interprovincial Regatta Committee met at Mr. Hunter’s offices last evening. Mr. G. Hunter was in the chair. A number of resolutions of a formal nature were moved and passed, and the meeting adjourned. There was a splendid house at the Theatre Royal last night, when the performances were under the patronage of his Excellency the Governor. “ The Shaughraun ” went as well as ever. What is known as “ the Whitechapel Mystery” has obtained a new development. As will be seen by extracts from home papers printed elsewhere, the brother of the prisoner Wainwright has been arrested, and with him committed for trial on a capital charge. A short sitting of the Admiralty Court took place yesterday, when Mr. Allan applied for a decree authorising the appraisement and sale of the Young Dick, schooner, default having been made in the payment of the damages and plaintiff’s costs —in all, £733 18s. Id. The Court granted the decree as prayed, A land slip has occurred at Kaiwarra, a few feet from the tollgate. A mass of earth loosened by the late heavy rain fell down the hill and covered the road, rendering it for a short time impassable ; but a quantity of the debris was soon taken away, and the rest was levelled on the road.