New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) MONDAY, AUGUST 7.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4797, 7 August 1876, Page 2

New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) MONDAY, AUGUST 7.

It would perhaps be asking too much of Sir George Grey's followers in Auckland to request of them that they should be a little consistent, still we cannot avoid putting such a request to them now. A Wellington correspondent of tho Nero Zealand Herald lately telegraphed to that journal that Sir Geokge would bring down proposals for financial separation, and would sketch out the form of government which tho Opposition propose to adopt in lieu of provincialism. Tho Herald subsequently, in commenting on ; what it was known would be the tenor of Sir George Grey's resolutions, pointed out that though they in no way indicated the form of local government his party were prepared to initiate if they got the chance, yet that in moving them the leader of the Opposition would without doubt give all the information and would state definitely the proposals for local government on which ho intended to appeal for support to the House. The inference that may. be fairly drawn from this is plain: that whilst we have now before the country complete and matured details of tho system which the Government think will best suit the colony as a consequence of abolition, it would be the duty of the Opposition to fairly face tho question at issue, and since they agree in condemning what the Goverment proposes, to toll us plainly what they propose instead. Now not even the most prejudiced partizan of Sir George Grey can say that this has been done. The separation resolutions themselves merely propose to leave tho country, so far as regards local self-government, in a chaotic condition, and to found a couple of quasi General Governments presided over by another of tho most faineant description. It was not expected, nor indeed was it required, that Sir George in his resolutions themselves should givo the information which even his ardonfc supporter,, the New Zealand Herald, very properly expected from him. Tho idoa of tho Herald that that information would bo found in the speech with which he introduced tho resolutions, was quito legitimate, but we now ask the Herald to search that speech and say honestly if a Bingle item of infurmation on the subjoct is to be found in it. And tho Opposition speakers who followed Sir Georoe wore as reticent in this particular as he was himself. As to the depravity and corruption of the present Government, concerning the Anglo-Saxon race," Magna Charta, the Hellenic constitutions, the, Roman law, , tho .history of, mankind, and the welfare of posterity, wo got information of a very full and sufficiently in- ' accurate character. Sir George Grey discoursed of the world's past and future,

Mr. Rees proved that the Government knew nothing of finance, and that he was superior to Gladstone, besides being gratuitously insulting and impertinent with regard to the affairs of private bo-' ciety. Mr. Lusk's speech was all a melancholy dissertation on "pictures, taste, Shakspere, and the musical glasses," none of which subjects would be ated if the Government proposals were adopted ; and. Mr. Wason, like an honest but obstinate sixth-form boy, declared that he would fight for a particular side, because he thought that side right, but gave no one else an opportunity of discovering by what process of ratiocination he had arrived at the conclusion that it was right. Under these circumstances it is not unfair to ask such supporters as the New Zealand Herald if they still feel themselves justified in backing the separation proposals as against those of the Government. Not a morsel of the proposals for the form of local government which it would be necessary to adopt if the separation question were carried, is before us. Parliament is asked in so many words to affirm those proposals and to leave the rest to fate. This, too, at a time when the work of the session is clearly to provide a form of government to take the place of provincialism, since the moment the session concludes that system must cease. At a time, too, when tho progress so far of our public works, though satisfactory in the extreme, demands imperatively that there should be no disturbing causes here to affect the position of that credit on which we have to rely until our public works themselves became directly remunerative. It is not to be wondered at under the circumstances that the Government find nothing in the speeches of the Opposition so far requiring answer. But even blinded byprejudice though they are, it will be very wonderful indeed if the better class of Sir George Grey's supporters do not admit thai he has failed in the essential point on which he might hope for their aid, and that it will be the duty of some one on his side if possible to now atone for that failure.

A correspondent has written us a letter, giving full and disgusting details of a fight, or series of at Marton on Saturday night and Sunday morning, the 29th and 30th nit. It appears some question arose, and to settle it a tight was decided upon, and about 10 o'clock on Saturday night a ring was formed at tho rear of one of the principal hotels of the township. The pugilists stripped to the waist and the combat was commenced. It continued till one man's face was reduced to a pulp and the thumbs cf the other man were put out of joint, and both of the fighters became too exhausted to continue the struggle. _lt might be asked where were the police ? Such a commotion in a small township could not have occurred without the knowledge of the police officers. This was bad enough ; but worse followed. The party adjourned to a publichouse, and after drinking had been indulged in to a considerable extent, a regular prizefight was arranged between a couple of rowdies. Persons occupying high offices in the district found the money, and officiated as seconds and .timekeepers, which accessories were considered indispensably necessary. The fight commenced on Sunday morning in the middle of the muddy road or street in front of the hotel, and continued for two" hours and twenty minutes, night being made hideous by the yells and oaths of a half-drunken crowd. The occurrence is a great disgrace to tho township, and it is much to be hoped that not only the pugilists but the people who promoted and encouraged the fight will be punished. Marton must be a, peculiarly constituted community, if plentj of respectable people could not be found to put down such proceedings, bad enough at any time, but much worse when taking place on the hallowed hours of the Sabbath.

Mr. H. R. Panington baa passed the examition required to be passed under the Law Practitioners Acts of 1861 and 1862. Anadvertisemenfc appears elsewhere announcing that two well'-known amateurs will play a match at billiards for £lO a side (500 up), at the Union Hotel this evening. We notice that it is contemplated to give a public dinner to 0. B. Garter, Esq., at Carterton, where, as the Standard says, settlers have reason to feel under Bpecial obligations to the gentlemen in question for many acts of kindness and liberality. A meeting of the provisional directors of the Empire Gas Company is called for to-morrow evenino- at 8 o'clock, when the attendance of each director is requested. Persons having share lists are requested to return then to the hon. sec. by to-morrow, so that an accurate list of shares may be made out. Mr. G. H. Bayliss, of the Adelaide-road, is about to commence a steam laundry on a large scale in the neighborhood of John-street, where there is a stream of good water runniDg through the ground. Mr. Bayliss has had considerable experience in this line, having, amongst others, fitted up the extensive works of the Orphan Asylum at Wanstead, England. one by one the wants of Wellington are being supplied, and we think this one will be well patronised by those families who have a horror of washing day. A curious accident happened to a cab at the top of Tory-street on Saturday. It was a onehorse cab, and there were inside a lady and a gentleman, the driver, of course, being on the box. Presently the horse shied, the effect being to turn over the cab into a large and rather deep patch of mud. The fares inside were not hurt, strange to say, although considerably startled, nor was " cabby" injured, but the horse nearly got smothered in the mud. Some gentlemen who were passing at the time came to the assistance of the driver, and the horse was extricated. The De Murska concert on Saturday evening was in many respect 3 one of the most pleasing of the series. All the vocalists were in good voice, and Maestro Ilia's instrumentation lost none of its charm by being heard once again. Mdlle. De Murska sang with a verve which completely carried away her audience, though traces of her recent indisposition were perhaps slightly apparent. She was, of course, repeatedly encored, and in more than one instance complied with the demand. Signor Bosnati has not been heard to greater advantage during the concerts than on Saturday, and he, as well as Signor Susini, responded to the demonstrative encores received, thereby adding greatly to the pleasure of their hearers. Perhaps the most successful piece given, though not the highest musical effort, was the grand duo " Corspino e la Comare" by Mdlle. De Murska and Signor Susini. The finished vocalisation of both singers, and the humor, so well brought out, of the duo, sent everyone away delighted. To-morrow night will be given the last of these charming concerts, when his Excellency the Governor and the Marchioness of Normanby have announced their intention of being present, on which occasion Mdlle. de Murska will sing the jewel song from "Faust," the aria "Qui la Voce" from "I. Puritani," Bishop's "La! Here the Gentle Lark," accompanied by Maestro Ilia on the violin ; and will take part with Signor Bosnati in the Miserere scene from " II Trovatore." . ■ ■ . The Theatre Royal was numerously attended on Saturday, the pit and stalls being crowded. The programme consisted of the comedies " David Garrick " and the " Honeymoon," and vocal performances by Miss Morgan. The acting of Mr. Bates and company in " David Garrick " has already been noticed, therefore it is unnecessary to say anything respecting it here further than that its repetition was eminently successful, and "The Honeymoon " gave the mo3t complete satisfaction to the Miss Morgan's singing proved as attractive as usual, the new ballad " Lullaby " being rapturously encored. Tonight the sensational drama, " The Will and the Way," ■ will be produced. There should be a good attendance, as this piece is' of a character more than usually attractive, and thefact that it will be placed on the stage under the direction of Mr. Bates, should be a sufficient guarantee of its being well played. Miss Morgan will also favor the audience with some songs, among them the ballad " Lullaby," which bids fair to become more popular than some of those which that youug lady used to sing during her engagement with Mr. Darrell. The following interesting items are from the .Whareaina correspondent of a Greytown paper :—"The weather has been very bad on the ;coast, and in consequence there was a heavier fresh in the river than has been known for years. A little way from'the mouth of the river immense quantities of crayfish were driven ashore, and a waggon load might have been picked up within a quarter of a mile. They were in splendid condition, being heavily fleshed. I noticed a fine tan colored cow, with a brand like two diamonds, or an 8, ashore, but do not know whether she, came down the river or not. The shock of earthquake was very severe here, and I noticed that it threw a lot of fowls off their perches." We notice by the Wairarapa Standard that the match between Minnie Clyde and Borax was decided at Tauherenikau in the presence of about a hundred spectators. Borax was the favorite, odds of 2 to 1 went begging. In fact as the mare was reported to be on the sick list most people thought Borax couldn't lose it. Mr. J. McMaster sent them on their journey to a capital start, and they immediately commenced at racing pace. At the end of the first half-mile they were only just in hand, and in this way they raced to the bush, going into which the mare got her head in front, but they were both together again until the mile post was reached, where the severity of the pace told its tale, and Borax was beaten. He was persevered with till the home turn was reached, when finding his chance gone his rider drew him off, allowing Minnie Clyde to win by some lengths. Mr. J. Greathead steered the winner. A rather serious accident occurred on the Hutt Railway, near the Pipitea termiuus, at 6 o'clock on Friday evening. The 5.40 up train having at that part of the line, and just after passing the points which lead to the siding in connection with Mr. O'Malloy's contract, got off the track, it ran into some loaded trucks, which had by some accident been left on the lino there ; probably they had been accidentally slipped by a ballast train. It was very dark at the time, so that the obstruction could not have been seen by the engine-driver, and the real position of matters was only learned upon examination after the shock was felt. The truclcs were damaged, as may be imagined. Indeed, the first was quite smashed to pieces, the second was broken a good deal, and the remainder wero more or less damaged. The passengers were unhurt. Perhaps a few may have received a bruise or two, but nothing serious resulted to them from the accident. The Waihenga ploughing match took place on Thursday last on the property of G. M. Waterhouse, Esq. The day was remarkably fino, and the affair very successful. The first prize for double-furrow ploughs was awarded to Mr. Scott, second 1 to Mr. Heggie, and third to Mr. Parish. The judges were Messrs. McMasters, Oates, and Cockburn. The prize for the best groomed horse fell to Mr. Heggie; for the best kept harness, to Mr. W. Morrison. Tho judges were Messrs. Smith and-Kennedy. The dinner in connection, with the match was given at Mr. Barber's Waihenga Hotel, Mr. J. P. Russell occupying the chair. The amenities of public life are not strictly observed in the New South Wales Parliament, as witness the following:—Mr. McElhone asked questions standing in his name having reference to tho delay in the production of a return of'reserves oa Dangar Bras.' station, and to answers given some time ago respecting certain selections near Merriwa. To both of these questions Mr. Garrett replied to the same effect, that, having been kept in the chamber 'all day by the action of hon. members opposite, and which action had had lio result," he had'been unable to attend to the duties of his offico or obtain replies. Mr. McElhone said i£ the hon, gentleman had not

been drunk on the previous night he would have been in a position to answer the questions. Mr. Speaker:, The hon. member is exceedingly disorderly in making such charges. Mr. McElhone : The hon. gentleman has called me unscrupulous. Mr. Speaker : The hon. member has no right to use such language. Mr. Gray : The hon. member ought to be sober himself. An American skating rink has been established in Berlin under most fashionable auspices. The " Town Crier" in the San Francisco News Letter remarks :—" It is said the Berlin papers, in speaking of it, use the words skate and skating, bodily dumping the English word into the German language. When it is known that the German for a skating rink is ' Bollschlittschuhbahn,' or worse still, ' Holzraederschlittschuhfahrhalle,' it seems excusable to steal the word. It will be of interest to the readers of the T.C. to know that the German for a skate factory is ' Salonholzrollschlittschuhfahrfabricationsanstalt.' The death of a compositor, mentioned in another column, was occasioned by his trying to get the last word into his composing stick." A strange law point was recently raised at the banco sittings of the Supreme Court at Melbourne. A man named McDonald was summoned to the District Court of Melbourne for not having given the notice required by the Corporation Building Act, that he was about to proceed with the building of a house. He was fined 420, which he paid rather than go to gaol. He, however, moved for a prohibition before the Full Court on the usual ground that he had not been sufficiently punished, inasmuch as the said Act said that, besides being fined, he should forfeit treble the amount of the fees the building surveyor would have been entitled to, and he therefore complained that the justices bad not properly enforced the law. It was argued, on the other hand, that the Court could not interfere in cases where the punishment was too light, but his Honor Mr. Justice Fellows pointed out that there was a case on record in which a man brought an action because he was not ordered a whipping in addition to a term of imprisonment, and the jury were directed to give him compensation for the damage he sustained through being deprived of the castigation. The Court made the rule absolute for a prohibition of the fine, but as Mr. McDonald has already paid the money, and as it has gone into the general revenue, and can only \e got back by a special vote being placed on the Estimates on the recommendation of the Minister of Justice, he will find it somewhat difficult to get it refunded. A contributor forwards to the New Zealand Herald the following, which at the present time is not without interest to the public of Wellington:—l believe it is generally admitted that there is no country better adapted to sheep-farming than New Zealand ; and, I believe, no country has made greater progress in regard to the number of sheep—the increase in a comparatively short time—than has this country. Twenty years ago the sheep might be reckoned by thousands, now they number ■ many millions, showing how the climate and the feed are suited to these valuable animals. As showing the progress that has been made in the increase «f sheep, I quote the following figures:—ln 1851 the number of sheep was 233,043 ; in 1858, 1,533,324 ; in 1861, 2,761,383; in 1867, 8,418,572 ; in 1874, 11,674,863. There is is no doubt that for the last few years wool-ejrowing has been a paying affair. What it will be with the price of wool so much lowerit is difficult to say. The great declension that has taken place will affect the colony throughout, and perhaps seriously. When it iu considered how great the quantity of wool that must be obtained from such a vast number of sheep, and that a market must be obtainedfor it somewhere, thequestion naturally arises why not establish woollen manufactories throughout the country ? Such an industry has not received the attention it deserves ; and yet it is a subject worthy of the notice of capitalists, worthy of the notice of farmers' clubs, and one, too, that has to do with the employment of labor, and that would produce traffic for our railways. If we could have our blankets and woollen clothes manufactured in the colony, we might expect to obtain genuine articles, whereas now we are little aware how much shoddy we pay for when making a purchase of woollen goods. It is quite certain that if woollen mills pay elsewhere, they would not prove unremunerative here ; and it is equally certain that the thing only wants a good and fair start to be a success. The Foresters' Directory for 1876 contains voluminous statistics connected with the Order, and affords good evidence of great care in preparation. A. great deal of the matter is interesting to , non-Foresters, as showing the progress made in years past, and the present position of the Order. From among this we select some of the principal information. In Great Britain there are 246 districts, with 3889 courts, 462,480 members, 10,047 honorary members ; court funds, amounting .to £1,799,650 • and district funds, amounting to £247,492. In the colonies, there are twentynine districts, 434 courts, 28,716 members, 474 honorary members; court funds, amounting to £114,653, and district funds, amounting to £20,565. The increase of members in Great Britain during 1875 was 51,203, and in the colonies 2959; the number of deaths being respectively 5677 and 67. The increase of members of the Order during the nine, years ending December last was 190,749. The increase of court funds during 1875 was £146,107, and of district funds £13,295. The; average number of days sickness per member in Great Britain during the thirteen months ending December 31, 1875, was 8"6 6. No average is given for the colonies. The honorary members of .the Order in Great Britain include- peers, sons of peers, baronets, judges, and 169 members of Parliament. The widow.and orphans' fund connected with the Order had at the end of last year 64,724 members, and funds to the amount of £64,134. Iu 1862 the Order decided to take steps for promoting the efforts of the National Life-boat Institution, and since then has presented two boats, and maintained them in a proper state of efficiency. One of these boats, "The Forester," is stationed at Tynemouth, and the other, "The Foresters' Pride," at West Hartlepool. The subscriptions paid towards this object up to the end of 1874 amounted to £2467 7s. 6Jd. Juvenile courts have been established by tho Order, and have proved a great Buccess. In 1875 these courts numbered 31,366 members, and possessed funds to the amount of £20,391. The number of members admitted during 1875 was 8159, and the number transferred to adult courts was 1723. A comet was, it is alleged, observed from Greytown, on Thursday morning, in a southerly direction. The Standard says the observer was perfectly sober, and that the tail of tho comet was swelling visibly before his very eyes. To-day, at 2 o'clock, Mr. Duncan will sell by public auction at his salerooms, the Lowry Bay estate, consisting of 569 J acres, now in the occupation of his Excellency tho Marquis of Normanby; after which he will sell several valuable freehold city properties. Also country sections at Fitzherbert. For particulars see advertisement columns.

On Saturday the Inspector of Police received a telegram from Constable Scale, Castle Point, to the effect that a man named William Donnelly had been arrested on a charge of burglariously entering Guthrie's old store, Whakotaki, on Thursday last, the property stolen being worth about £B. Part of it has been recovered. We understand that the share lists of the Empire Gas Consumers Company (Limited), which are distributed pretty widely over the city, are being rapidly filled up. From the prospectus which appears in our advertising columns it will be noted that deposits are payable at the Bank of New Zealand, where application forms and prospectuses can also be obtained. The investing members of the Permanent Equitable Building and Investment Society of Wellington, will meet this evening at the society's offices, Temple Chambers, when the annual'report and balance-sheet will be submitted by the directors for their consideration. We understand that the operations of the society during the past year have been of an unusually profitable nature, the balance of net profits having grown from £625 19s. lOd. on the Ist June, 1875, to £2169 12s. Id. on the Ist June, 1876. This satisfactory result will no doubt still further tend to increase the popularity of a society that has so materially helped the working classes of this city in securing freehold homes, the advances made by the society to its members during the two years it has been in existence having reached the large sum of £41,225. The permanent principle on which the society is based has no doubt greatly assisted in securing for it this large amount of business. The Land Investment Company, of which we have heard but little lately, appears to have made steady progress, and has been registered as a limited liability company under the Joint Stock Act. A meeting of the provisional committee was held on Saturday at the office of the secretary, Mr. Tribe, when he was instructed to call a general meeting for the election of directors, and to direct the solicitor, Mr. Brandon, to prepare articles of association for submission to the meeting. The provisional committee decided to leave the various proposals of business to be dealt with by an elected board. On the last trip of the Tui from Wanganui to Wellington some sample goods, the property of Thompson, Shannon, and Co., were stolen. Tho police were communicated with, and a telegram was sent to Wanganui stating tho case. Since then a telegram has been received from Wanganui, to the effect that a man named Henry Steeben has been arrested there, a number of the stolen articles being found in his possession. He will be remanded to Wellington. Ic will be remembered that during the voyage of tho Camperdown some property belonging to passengers was stolen, and it was found at the time impossible to trace the whole of the thieves, for there was more than one robbory. Tho Commissioner of Police in Christchurch was communicated with, and a telegram was received from him on Saturday, stating that two "men named Thomas Halswell and Wm. Cassidy had. been arrested on a chargo of stealing from the,Camperdown .on her voyage out. They were sailors on board. At the, Itoßident Magistrate's Court on Saturday a man named Thomas Francis was convicted of vagrancy,, and sentenced.to one month's imprisonment. James Brown and Richard Earley, twosoaraen of the ijarah Bell," were charged with stealing some earthenwajre plates. They wore remanded till to-day. The second Parliamentary ball of the series takes place at tho Provincial Hall to-night.