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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4782, 20 July 1876, Page 2

Late on Monday telegrams from the North showed the probable approach of had weather, and warnings were sent to such places as the late hour admitted, of. Strong easterly gales were felt during that night at places north of Auckland; and on Tuesday warnings for similar weather, were sent to all stations. The gale visited places north of the Bast Cape on Tuesday evening, and the barometer fell considerably except in the South, where it had, risen about a tenth by Wednesday, morning. Further warnings were sent South yesterday afternoon; and by 5 p.m. the glass had fallen nearly three-tenths of an inch on the west coast of the Middle Island.

The Theatre Royal was not well attended last evening, in consequence of the miserable weather. Nevertheless the company played with spirit, “ Bdcombole” being the piece produced, Joseph-, Fippart,- Mr. Bates; Baccarat, Mrs. j Bates. It will he noticed that the burlesque of the “Invisible Prince" is in preparation. : :

iA, telegram received by the Inspector of Police yesterday, from Constable Brunstrell, Featherston, supplied information to the effect that twb. men named Smitt and Downey were severely; injured at JPeatherstoh Vm Tuesday last, owihgr'td-a shbt going off unexpectedly \whUe thk men i werej blasting : on* the. railway 'wdrkWVThe' sufferer? -were'removed to the Greytown Hospital yesterday.

The most severe, shock of earthquake felt in Wellington for many years past occurred at a quarter past. four o’clock, yesterday morning, being accompanied by an unusually loud rumbling noise. The earthquake was felt in many other places, from which telegraphic advices of the fact were received yesterday. Although the shock was so severe we have heard of no injury to property having been occasioned by it. The earthquake, however, was the talk of the town yesterday. ■ In fact to a great many sound sleepers who did not feel it the subject was in a way tantalising, the wakeful ones being so fond of asking, “ Did you feel the shake last night ?” and of asserting, with an assumption of ancient experience quite provoking, that “it was the biggest thing of the kind, sir, I have felt for years." To some these inquiries must have had a maddening effect, such for instance as was produced on Mark Twain, the innocent abroad, when in Gibraltar, where every man he met would persist. in relating a certain “ infernal story” about the “ Queen’s chair.” We have not heard of anything serious having occurred in consequence of yesterday morning’s shake,but some funny stories are told in connection with it. In a certain hotel inWellington where there is a night porter engaged the earthquake was productive of a little incident which would have been unknown to the world but for the fact of the porter (who was chiefly concerned) being stUl alive to tell it. Just prior to the shock the porter, a simple minded youth, was cleaning a pair of boots. He was a musical porter, and to beguile the time and make his work pleasant he was singing a plaintive melody, some three hundred years old, and entitlad “Oh Take me Home to my Ma !” He had reached the 99th verse, when the shook came, and he positively asserts that he recollects nothing further till next morning, when he woke up to find his head in a saucer of blacking, and a pair of patent leather shoes in his waistcoat pocket, This story may be true, but the others are too palpably false to be published.

At the inquest on the body of Mrs. Mansill, held at the Royal Tiger Hotel yesterday afternoon, before the coroner, the evidence of Dr. France was taken. The doctor stated that he had found Mrs. Mansill lying on her face, which was deeply imbedded in the pillow. The organs were all healthy except the liver, which was very much enlarged from the excessive use of stimulants. A verdict in accordance with Dr. France’s testimony was returned. A telegram was received by Inspector Atchison yesterday from Mr. Weldon, Commissioner of Police, Dunedin, stating that a warrant had been forwarded to Wellington for the arrest of William George Sale, charged with larceny of a watch as a bailee, at Dunedin, about the 19th of May last. The description given of the man is as follows : —Englishman ; aclerk;.4oyears of age; about sft. 2in. in height, medium build, &c. Sale left Dunedin for Wellington by the steamer Taupo on the sth inst. Immediately on receipt of the above telegram, Detective Farrell was placed in. possession of the facts, and within half an hour he had captured his man, meeting him in the street and recognising him by the description given in the telegram. Sale was at once locked up, and will be brought before the Resident Magistrate this morning, but in all probability he will be remanded. The half-yearly meeting of the Wellington Co-operative Society was to have been held last evening in the sideroom of the Odd Fellow’s Hall, but a long time after the appointed hour there was not nearly a quorum in attendance, and those present therefore adjourned, It previously having been agreed, at the suggestion of Mr. Toomath, to hold the meeting on Friday week, the meeting to be advertised and circulars to be printed and issued to all the members. An effort was previously made to get together a meeting of the society, but without effect, there not being a quorum present. It would seem that a mistake was made in the first instance, when framing the rules, in fixing the number to form a quorum at 50 members. However, greater success may attend the next attempt. We remind our readers that the box office for the De Murska concerts opens this morning at ten o’clock at Jackson’s. As a large number of applications have been made for tickets, it is quite expected that a rush will result, and it is therefore advisable that early application should be made. The dates fixed for the concerts are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, July 24th, 26th, 28th, and 29th. In order that all parties may have an opportunity of hearing this great singer, Mr. Medcalfe has made arrangements for special trains to leave for the Lower Hutt after each concert. Omnibuses will also leave the Hall for the various suburbs on each concert night. A telegram yesterday stated that the Taranaki, with the De Murska Company on board, left Auckland for Wellington on Tuesday. She may therefore be expected tomorrow. In the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before J. H. Wallace, Esq., Alexander Gumming, for assaulting Samuel Cane, and for being drunk and assaulting Constable Pownall, was remanded till to-day. One drunkard was fined ss. and costs. A meeting of the Wellington City Council will be held this afternoon. The business, as set down on the usual notice issued by the Town Clerk, is to pass wages, and general.