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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4596, 13 December 1875, Page 2

Mr. William Hutchison, a candidate for the Mayoralty of Wellington, will address the ratepayers at Valentine's Prince of Wales Hotel, Tory-street, at eight o'clock this evening.

The Th'orndon Baths were opened on Saturday, his Excellency and a large attendance of the public being present The sport proved amusing to many, and a trifle monotonous to some. The opening performance consisted in certain gambols by six gentlemen ; then came races, and next a diving competition. The greasy pole performance did not prove so amusing as was expected. The first man walked to the end in the calmest manner, and possessed himself of the ham, hence there was no competition. At the Roman Catholic Chapel of St. Mary of the Angels, Boulcott-street, an impressive ceremony was performed yesterday, namely, the benediction of the bell destined for use in the edifice. The bell is a present from the old and venerated clergyman of the church, the Rev. Father O'Reilly. At eleven o'clock, Dr. Redwood, Roman Catholic Bishop of Wellington, assisted by Fathers Chataigner and Kearney, performed the ceremonies prescribed by the Church for such occasions, and afterwards preached an eloquent sermon, taking for his subject the use of church bells, and discoursing with much effectiveness on the bells that for centuries have summoned worshippers to prayer. The bell was cast in Dublin, at the Eagle Foundry, by Thomas Sheridan and Company, and has on it a similitude of one of the round towers of Ireland, the oak tree, wolf dog, and harp, surrounded by a wreath of shamrocks. Underneath this is inscribed " Erin go bragh," and the bell was christened St. Patrick. It weighs about scwt., and is of very good tone. A. collection was made during the service, which amounted to over £SO. After Mass a dejeuner'was given in the schoolroom, at which Mr. James O'Shea took the chair, and on its conclusion Father O'Reilly, on behalf of a number of his parishioners, presented Dr. Redwood with a handsome gold watch.

Mr. Wallace addressed the electors of the Country Districts at the schoolhouse, Johnsonville, on Saturday evening. There was a good attendance. Mr. Austin occupied the chair. Mr. Wallace went fully into the various matters touched upon in his address, and upon general subjects likely to occupy the attention of the next Parliament, and answered several questions put to him by electors referring to Mr. Brandon's opinions upon topics concerning which he differed from Mr. Wallace. The meeting lasted about an hour and a half, and at its conclusion Mr. Watt moved, " That Mr. J. H. Wallace is a fit and proper person to represent the Wellington Country Districts in the next Parliament, and this meeting pledges itself to support him." This was seconded by Mr. Mudgeway, and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings. A meeting of the electors of the Wellington Country District was also held on Friday evening, at Pahautanui—Mr. David Galloway in the chair. Mr. J. H. Wallace addressed the electors, and gave a detailed sketch of his views upon the topics referred to in his address, and received a unanimous vote of thanks. Mr. Wallace addresses the electors at Kaiwara on Tuesday night. Mr. Gisborne addressed the electors (as candidate for the office of Mayor) in the 1 Foresters' Arms Hotel on Saturday evening. There were about thirty present. Mr. Gisborne spoke for over an hour, and was listened to with close attention. At the close of the address Mr. Quin proposed, and Mr. Brown seconded, a vote of confidence in Mr. Gisborne, which was carried unanimously. Mr. W. Hutchison met about thirty electors at the Royal Hotel on Saturday evening, Mr. E. Toomath occupying the chair. The candidate entered into an explanation of his views upon civic matters, and at the termination of his address Mr. Johns moved "That the thanks of this meeting be given to Mr. Hutchison for his able address, and that we pledge ourselves to do what we can to secure his election as Mayor." This was seconded by Mr. Burns, and carried. At the Resident Magistrate's Court on Saturday, John Collins, charged with drunkenness, was fined ss. and costs ; John Pichery, for a similar offence, was fined 205.; a charge of keeping a disorderly house against Sarah Kent was withdrawn ; John Perkins, suspected of being a lunatic, was remanded for a week, and Hugh Jansen and Maurice Foley were committed to the Asylum. The annual meeting of tho Wellington Typographical Association was held at the Odd Fellows' Hall on Saturday evening last, on which occasion there was a good attendance of members. The balance-sheet and report, which were read and adopted, show that the Society is in a very satisfactory condition. There are about seventy members on the books, and the balance to the credit of the Society amounts fo £IOB 6s. 5d., the total receipts for the year being £7l 6s. 9d. The election of officers took place with the following results : —President, Mr. J. Gamble ; Vice-President, Mr. A. Gallagher ; Treasurer, Mr. J. D. Innes; Secretary, Mr. Bannister : Sick Fund Committee, Messrs. Murphy, Capper, Bushnell, Fisher, and Milstead. After several notices of motion and a vote of thanks to the retiring officers, the meeting separated. It was resolved that in the future officers should be elected half-yearly.