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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4790, 29 July 1876, Page 2

The names of his Honor the Chief Justice and Mrs. Prendergasfc, of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Johnston, and of several others were omitted from our list of ladies and gentlemen present at Lady Vogel’s Fancy Dress Ball, and published in our issue of yesterday. The ladies’ gallery and the strangers’ gallery at the House of Representatives were filled at half-past seven last evening, on account of an anticipation that Mr. Whittaker’s resolutions would come on for discussion. However, when it was discovered that the matter was postponed the galleries soon became thinner. The Municipal Corporations Bill was scarcely entertaining enough. One of the clauses of the Juries Act Amendment Bill provides that jurymen engaged on a trial may, in the discretion of the presiding Judge, be allowed reasonable refreshment. During the discussion on the Bill in committee yesterday, the provision exercised members of the House of Representatives for an hour or so. First of all the question arose as to what constituted reasonable refreshment, and it was moved that alcoholic liquors should be specially excepted. Mr. Sharp objected to any such amendment, and spoke of some jurymen being so constituted as to absolutely need spirituous liquors. Mr. Stout vigorously opposed the clause if it was to be interpreted as allowing spirituous liquors, and said it would be a disgrace to any judicial system for such an innovation to be introduced. He asked the House to consider for a moment the effect of a case, which might involve the ruin of a suitor, being decided by a half-tipsy jury, or a man being deprived of his life by the verdict of men in a maudlin state. If such a thing were allowed there would be no confidence in the jury system, Mr. Harper pointed out that the hon. member seemed to forget that .the refreshment was to be supplied at the discretion of the Judge, and in reasonable quantities, to which Mr. Stout retorted that he had more respect for a Judge of the Supreme Court than to throw upon him the

superintendence of the supply of cold ham and bottled beer. Mr. Sharp said no one could be better aware than the bon. member for Dunedin City that for years past the Judges had had the power of allowing jurymen to take refreshment during the course of the trial, and this clause would but have the effect of extending power to the Judge to do the same after the jury had retired. Mr. Donald Beid considered that if a juryman could not do his duty in considering a verdict without wanting drink he was not fit to be a juryman ; and Mr. Bees considered the clause an attempt to introduce a most dangerous principle. The clause was passed with a few additional words, casting the expense of the refreshments upon the country, so as to give the Sheriff a check upon the amount of refreshment provided. As the 11.25 train was proceeding from the Upper Hutt yesterday an accident occurred which might have been attended with very serious consequences. The engine driver was a man named Bobert A. Page, who has the reputation of being a steady and careful man, Mr. Marcus acting as guard. On reaching Hayward’s crossing, about six miles from the Upper Hutt, the speed was slackened as usual to pass the points. Instead, howeyer, of crossing as usual, the engine fouled the points, and at once ran off the rails, directly afterwards turning over on its side. The speed was so slow that the whole train at once came to a standstill, and none of the carriages left the rails. Page displayed considerable nerve and courage. He might have jumped off ere the capsize took place, but he kept to his post until that unlucky event occurred, and he was thrown under the engine, the footplate catching him across the thighs. Fortunately he fell between the sleepers, otherwise his legs would certainly have been broken, or perhaps severed from his body, but as it was, he did not sustain further injury than some severe bruises and contusions. A horseman who happened to be passing at the time of the accident rode to the Lower Hutt and gave information there of the disaster. The driver of the down train at once drove his engine to the spot, and brought back the injured man. Page was examined by Dr. Wilford, who pronounced his bones to be uninjured. The line at the point where the accident occurred was subsequently cleared. It is difficult to imagine how the engine could have run off the line. The points were properly adjusted, that is perfectly certain, because the driving wheels of the engine passed through them and continued on the line until the trailing wheels in some unaccountable manner went off the line, and the great weight thus placed on the driving wheels naturally throw the engine over. So soon as Mr. Smith, the stationmaster, became acquainted with the fact of an accident having occurred, a special engine was despatched with the necessary appliances for righting the engine, etc.

The Earl of Carnarvon writes to his Excellency the Governor :—“ My Lord, —I have received yonr Lordship’s despatch, No. 10, of the 11th March, in which you recommend that Mr. William Hunter Reynolds, who has retired from the Executive Council, after having been a member for a period of over three years, may receive the Queen’s permission to retain the title of Honorable ; and I have the honor to acquaint you that her Majestyfhas been graciously pleased to approve of Mr. Reynolds retaining the title of Honorable within the colony of New Zealand.” The attendance at the Theatre Royal last night was very fair. “The Invisible Prince” was again produced with success, the audience manifesting their approval in the usual manner. The comedy entitled “ Bamboozling ” also met with great approval. For to-night a most attractive programme is announced, consisting of “ Don Coesar De Bazan,” “ The Invisible Prince,” and other features. Where there is variety in respect to amusements generally, their success may usually be anticipated, and we have no doubt that the Theatre Royal will be well patronised to-night, no pains having been spared by the company to provide worth for the entrance money. A New Zealand Gazette was published on Thursday night. It contains —Proclamation of town of Akaroa to be a borough under the Municipal Corporations Act, 1867 ; notice of reservation of laud for General Government purposes at Eden, Auckland; regulations under Armed Constabulary Act; despatch from Secretary of State, notifying the allowance of a number of Acts of last session ; despatch from Secretary of State, requesting the co-operation of New Zealand in respect of the Netherlands exhibition in 1877 ; authorisation of SurveyorGeneral to frank letters on public service, &c. It is not a common thing to see the preservation and arrangement of ferns brought to perfection. The work requires to be well understood, otherwise there is no chance of success, the great difficulty consisting in retaining the natural color of the leaf. Mr. Jeffs, seedsman, of Lambton-quay, is one of those who have made the subject a study, and he has unquestionably attained a degree of success seldom reached, and being creditable to him therefore. He has now in his shop a selection of ferns, most carefully preserved, tastefully arranged, and retaining the appearance they bore when collected from the bush. It is well known that in many oases the ferns sooner or later lose their freshness (owing to their not having been properly preserved) and assume a dead brown color, presenting, but for the outline, much more the appearance of a wisp of straw than beautiful and delicate plants. Mr. Jeffs, however, has mastered the grand secret of preservation, and some of the ferns he has on hand at the present time (a tremendous quantity kept in boxes), and which have been laid by ready for sale a considerable time, present the same appearance as when gathered. It is the intention of Mi-. Jeffs to send to England samples arranged on cardboard, having been advised to do so by Mr. Henry Maudesley, fellow of the Royal Botanical Society, who was recently on a visit to Wellington. He purposes sending one parcel to the Secretary of the Botanical Society, Regent’s Park, and another to the Secretary of the Horticultural Society, Hyde Park. The following regulations, under the Armed Constabulary Act, have been gazetted :—The uniform of constables is to consist of blue cloth cap with peak and band of black braid, lin. wide, blue tweed patrol jacket with the A.O. metal buttons, blue tweed trousers, strong laced-up watertight boots, and brown leather gaiters, great coat, waterproof sheet. Mounted constables will wear the same uniform in every respect as the foot, with the exception of, a cavalry cloak instead of the greatcoat, and in addition to the above each mounted man is to have one pair of Bedford-cord breeches and hunting spurs ; also to supply himself with the cleaning gear necessary for his horse and saddlery. The uniform of non-commissioned officers, whether mounted or foot, is to be precisely the same as that of the constables, with the addition of chevrons on the right arm, according to the grade of the wearer ; in the case of sergeauts-major, surmounted by a crown. Officers of all ranks are to be similarly dressed; their uniform will be as follows : —Blue cloth forage cap with staff peak, and silver oak leaf band IJ-iuch wide, with silver button and tracing lace on top ; blue cloth patrol jacket with standing collar braided with hussar braid and silver shoulder cords ; blue cloth single-breasted waistcoat hooking to the throat, with silver beading and silver lace round edges and pockets ; blue cloth trousers with black oak leaf mohair braid down the. side 1J inch wide. Pay.—Officers: Inspectors, £4OO per annum ; ditto, 2nd class, £350 per annum; sub-inspec-tors, Ist class, £250 per annum ; ditto, 2nd class, £2OO per annum. Non-commissioned officers and constables. —Mounted; Sergeantsmajor, 9s. per diem ; sergeants, Ist class, Bs. 6d. per diem ; ditto, 2nd class, 7s. 6d. per diem; constables, 6s. 6d. per diem. Foot : Sergeanta-major, 9s. per diem ; sergeants, Ist class, Bs. per diem; ditto, 2nd class, 7s. per diem'; constables, 6s. per diem. Without clothing allowance.

In the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, a Mrs. Rappiport applied for a protection order against her husband. Mr. Stafford appeared for defendant, admitted the alleged cruelty, and agreed to pay costs. The Court granted the order. The first meeting of the season of the Philosophical Society will be held this evening.

A meeting of the Featherston Memorial Committee is called for Monday afternoon. A meeting of the Wellington Teachers’ Association is called for this morning. The Wellington Education Board holds a meeting at 10.30 this morning, and the College Governors meet at noon. The Simonsen Opera Troupe are to leave Napier to-day for Wellington, en route for Nelson. We understand the season at Napier has been eminently successful. The East Coast election committee met yesterday, but no oral evidence was taken. A certificate of the conviction of Major Pitt for bribery and other documentary evidence were put in.

We have received a copy of the Nelson Provincial Government Gazette of July 19th, containing a report on the special settlement at Kareama, by the Provincial Secretary of Nelson, Mr. Eugene O’Conor. It is a common complaint with reporters that many members of the Legislature are inaudible in the galleries. One of the gentlemen who is particularly noted in this respect is the Hon. Dr. Pollen, whose words at times do not reach the ears of the reporters at all. We hope that the hon. gentleman, who, from the dignified position which he occupies, should be perfectly understood, will in future endeavor to speak so loudly that his utterances may be heard by others than those who occupy seats on the floor of the Legislative Council Chamber. Bather a remarkable item comes from Sydney by cable, for it seems that the murder of the crew of the May Queen took place only in the imagination of the skipper of some vessel who took such a harrowing tale to Sydney. But a similar deception has taken place on the New Zealand coast, if the telegram from Auckland be correct. From Melbourne we learn of the unusual occurrence of the expulsion from Parliament of a member. Mr. McKean is a Melbourne barrister, and at different times for the last ten years has achieved an unenviable notoriety for his blackguard conduct. To insult the Speaker of the House was a mere trifle; but last year he carried his pranks too far, and was committed •to one of the rooms in the parliamentary buildings as a prisoner till he should apologise. He managed to make his escape, however, without apologising, and for the remainder of the session was one of the principal “stonewallers,” whose display of political virtues gained for them such a questionable reputation. There are several men of the McKean stamp in the Victorian Legislative Assembly; but this severe treatment of the ringleader of the rowdies may have a good effect. An advertisement which appears in another column announces this day the opening of a cigar divan and smoking saloon by Mr. G.Budge. The shop, which is situated in Willis-street, opposite the Melbourne Hotel, possesses an imposing appearance, and being of somewhat large dimensions, gives room for a good display of the varied assortment of pipes, tobacco, cigars, &c. The shop has been elaborately finished, and the counter, which is of polished red pine, with cedar top, is one of the finest pieces of workmanship of the kind we have seen in the colony. The pannelling, with carved wreaths in the centre, takes the eye immensely, and shows the artist’s skill at once. The counter is supported by eight carved trusses, most elaborately finished. The size of the shop is 20ft. by 30ft., and it is well fitted up with shelves and glass cases, and allows the owner good scope for the display of his articles. The screen leading to the smoking saloon is composed of polished red pine and kauri, with ornamental work and wreaths like the counter. On entering the smoking saloon, which is 25ft. by 17ft., the visitor at once recognises the conveniences which it offers, not only to gentlemen who wish to pass a pleasant half-an-hour at chess, dominoes, backgammon, &c., over their cup of chocolate or coffee, but to the commercial man who has business unexpectedly to perform out of office. There are eight small tables of polished pine at different places in the room, and a larger one in the centre. The lounges are three in number and very handsome, being of polished pine, covered with Utrecht crimson velvet. The room is welllighted with a chandelier of four jets, and well ventilated. A library and papers (European and colonial) will also be found. The work was entrusted to Messrs. Crook and Harrison, and has been carried out in a masterly and artistic style. The prize schedule of the "Wellington Horticultural Society, for the coming season, has just been published.' The winter show is to be held in September, another in November, and another in January. The autumn show is to be held in March. The committee have been active in the interests of the society. Subscriptions have been collected, and arrangements made for the coming shows. "We would draw attention to three of the special prizes, as they have reference to a matter in which farmers and others are considerably interested. These particular prizes (contributed by Mr. George Hunter) are as follows ;—2ls. for the best twelve mangolds, 21s. for the best twelve carrots, and 21s. for the beat twelve turnips; a conidtion being attached, to the effect that the competitors must have half an acre of the vegetables named under cultivation—that is, the exhibits must be part of a crop of such extent. We are informed by a member of the society that Mr. Hunter, having made experiments on his farm, found that as food for cattle and sheep it was highly desirable to cultivate these vegetables. We (Napier Telegraph) learn that the Defence Minister has intimated to officers commanding districts, that the Government has determined to make a reduction in the Armed Constabulary Force of the colony. The reduction will consist of four sub-inspectors, eight sergeants, and ninety-seven men, in all one hundred and nine. What proportion will be taken from the stations in the Wairoa and Taupo districts we do not know. On Tuesday last a boy apparently about six or seven years of age was found in a shed near Main-street, Greytown, in a situation and under circumstances which demand enquiry. The shed itself is an old stable, in which some straw is kept. The Wairarapa Standard says; —lt appears that for weeks past, the boy id question has been locked up in it, without proper clothing, without bedding, without fire, and possibly without proper food. Lonely, filthy, and neglected, the unfortunate child was found burrowing like an animal in a heap of straw. A little son of Mr. Mountain’s, of the Bising Sun Hotel, was the first to notice and report his unfortunate condition. At once Mr. Mountain, and others who became cognisant of the circumstances of the case, removed the boy from the shed, and had him cleansed and clothed. Probably had the child been left as he was much longer, his mind would have become permanently impaired; as it was, when discovered he was evidently suffering mental as well as physical distress. It is stated that the boy’s father, who placed him in the shed, visited him at intervals and provided him with food. We have given the facts of the case accurately and without exaggeration, as far as we can gather them. On the face of them it is evident that inquiry should be made by the proper authorities as to the truth of them, and if as we believe they are fouiid to be as we have stated, the parent of the boy should be brought before the Besident Magistrate. We understand that there is a difficulty in the police taking up the case without direct evidence is obtained of neglect on the part of the parent. In the meanwhile the father has taken the boy back to the shed.

Strangers paying a visit to Wellington, and country settlers arriving in town, are very often at a loss to know which is the best house or cheapest general drapery establishment to visit for buying drapery ana clothing. J. McDowell and Co. offer special advantages that can be met with nowhere else in t e city. They keep at all times the largest and best assorted stock of every class of goods, iinportod direct from the leading manufacturers of Great Britain and Ireland, which, being bought on the most advantageous terms enables them to offer goods of sterling qualities at prices that cannot bo improved on by any house m the trade. Every article is marked at a fixed price that cannot bo deviated from, for ready money, from which there is no deviation : so that inexperienced neonio are as wcU served as the best judges; the terms being net cash, without rebate or abatement of any kind. A full description of stock can be obtained from our catalogues and advertisements. Note the address—Opposite the Bank of New Zealand, comer of Lambton-quay and WUlu-street, Wellington.—An vt, I^,iit^UiUtlllmUSSS— —nal