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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4817, 30 August 1876, Page 2

The Hon. Sir Julius Vogel had an interview with His Excellency the Governor after the rising of the House yesterday afternoon, and then tendered the resignation of the Ministry. He advised his Excellency to send for the Hon. Major Atkinson, which was done, and that hon. gentleman attended immediately, and undertook the formation of. a new Ministry. On the House meeting at 7.30 p.m. Sir Julius Vogel made a Ministerial statement, announcing that he intended to retire from public life, and reported what had been done with reference to the resignation of the Ministry. As to the Agent-Generalship, Sir Julius Vogel said he had been desired to take the office, and was agreeable to do so, but uothinghad transpired to bind the succeeding Government to appoint him. Major Atkinson confirmed what had been said by Sir Julius Vogel, and moved the adjournment of the House for two days. Mr. Rolleston criticised the conduct of the Government, and Mr. Andrew and Mr. Stout having spoken, the House adjourned till 7.3 C p.m. on Thursday. A draft of the Bill for giving effect to Sir Julius Vogel’s arrangement for the inscription of New Zealand Stock by the Bank of England was brought down by message from the Governor yesterday. The Financial Arrangements Bill was withdrawn from the House of Representatives yesterday, to allow of a new Bill being introduced in its place, with different provisions, to accord with the alterations made or agreed to be made in the Counties Bill.

The notices for the City Council elections are published this morning. A Councillor retires in each Ward, but so far as is yet known there will he no contest except in the Te Aro Ward. Nominations close on Tuesday next. Mr. Cleland is Returning Officer for Thomdon, Mr. J. R. George for Te Aro, and Mr. Moss for Lambton.

The weather yesterday morning was by no means favorable for Mr. Wiltshire’s walking. Bain commenced at about 1 o’clock, and continued for some hours. As before stated, Wiltshire has no covering, so that he had to walk in the rain and on sloppy ground. He appeared yesterday as fresh as when he started, and at 6 o’clock last evening had walked seventy-two miles. We understand that it is the intention of some gentlemen in town to put on two watchers to see that the distance is performed faithfully. At the Besident , Magistrate’s Court yesterday there were only a few oases on the police charge-sheet, and they were of no consequence. Ellen H. Parker was called to answer three separate charges of assault ; but in only one case was she bound over to keep the peace in a sum of £2O, with one surety of £lO, and to pay costs. In another assault case there was no appearance of either party; and one person was punished for drunkenness. There were thirteen civil cases set down for hearing, but the majority of them were either settled, adjourned, or withdrawn. They were all small debts cases, possessing no public interest. A week or two since Bishop Hadfield issued an appeal to the Wellington congregations of the Anglican Church on behalf of the diocesan fund. The object of this fund is to provide assistance for struggling churches in sparsely populated districts, and to extend the ministration of the church to districts which as yet have been left unoared for. The Bishop in his address, and the several clergymen officiating last Sunday, when special collections were taken, pointed out strongly that it was upon the richer city congregations that the fund principally depended, and therefore extensive sympathy was asked. The,amount collected was upwards of £6O, £37 Hs. of which was collected in St. Paul’s, Thorndon. It is noticeable, that the collection for the same object in.this church last year amounted to only £lB.

The College Governors meet this afternoon. A meeting of the Education Board is called for this morning. A special meeting of the provisional directors of the Empire Gas Company is called for this evening at' the Post-office Hotel. The business is announced to be important. The man named John Casey, whose arrest at Wanganui was referred to in a former issue, has been convicted on three charges of larceny, and sentenced to three, six, and four months’ imprisonment.

The Mayor has called a meeting of ratepayers, to be held in the Odd Fellows’ Hall to-morrow, the object being to consider the question of the Council’s purchasing the works of the Wellington Gas Company, and the price which it is desirable to pay. The committee of the Football Club met yesterday afternoon, and considered the choice of a team for the forthcoming intercolonial match between Wellington and Christchurch. It was resolved to write specially to a Wanganui player to take part, and it was announced that the Wairarapa would send two representatives. The match, it is definitely decided, shall be played at the Hutt, in a paddock belonging to Mr. Riddiford'; and the secretary has telegraphed to Auckland to know when the team will be down.

An adjourned meeting of the Featherston Memorial Committee was held in the Provincial Library at 8 o’clock last evening. Dr. Puller, C.M.G., in the chair. Further subscriptions were reported by several members of the committee who had undertaken the duty of canvassing the city, making, with those previously received, a total of £240. The secretary stated that no returns had yet been received from the country districts, the circulars having only been issued on Saturday last. The chairman said that he had seen Mr. Beetham, who reported favorably of the clay model now in progress under the hand of an Italian artist, recently arrived. It was resolved to appoint Mr. Solomon Levy to visit the uncauvassed portions of the town and to collect the subscriptions already promised. A Maori circular was prepared, inviting some of the leading native chiefs to co-operate in the matter, and the meeting was ordered to stand adjourned for a fortnight. Though the pens which a Mr. Jacobs was recently selling here as aluminium have turned out not to be aluminium, and so scarcely worth the ten shillings a gross asked for them by the ingenious Mr. Jacobs, they are very excellent steel, and very good pens to write with. Messrs. Lyon and Blair have purchased the lot, which Mr. Jacobs, in his anxiety to get away, was willing to dispose of, and are now selling them for 3s. 6d. a gross. The Theatre Royal was again largely attended last night, when the Hegarty Troupe, in conjunction with part of the Bates Theatrical Company, 'appeared with complete success. The members of the Combination Troupe have won the esteem of the Wellington public. They are unquestionably superior to any that have appeared in New Zealand before, that is, speaking of them as a troupe. There are individual members perhaps who are not superior to many, but Miss Kate Russell for example is inimitable. She is an actress in the true sense of the word, is besides possessed of a musical voice, correct ear, and an attractive person. Miss Russell could not possibly fail to enlist the approbation of an audience in whatever part of the world the audience might be collected to witness her performances. She was repeatedly encored last evening, and on each occasion cheerfully responded to the call. Mr. Hart’s efforts met with appreciation, as did those of Mr. Moran, Miss ffarrison, and the wizard. To-night there will be an entire change of programme, and a good house may be looked forward to with certainty, particularly as there are no counter attractions.

A meeting was held last evening at Mr. Hunter’s rooms, Mr. J. A. Edwards in the chair, for the purpose of reorganising the Choral Society’s band. Mr. Edwards promised to do everything to assist in getting together a really good band, and he stated that already great encouragement had been given to the society since its resuscitation. A number of gentlemen had come forward to join the band, which would in consequence be increased to a strength of twenty-five members, amongst whom would probably be Mr. Bonnington. This gentleman enjoys the reputation of being one of the best amateur violinists in the colony, and should he settle in Wellington, as is very likely, he will prove a great acquisition as first violin. It was stated that a good deal of music had gone astray ; but several members present kindly offered to give to the society copies of pieces in their possession. It was agreed to get a couple of kettledrums from Melbourne, as being absolutely necessary for the completion of the band. Other business having been transacted, the band went through selections from “ Don Giovanni” and “LaJuive” most satisfactorily. The society seems to be in a very successful way just now, and no doubt, with the assistance and sympathy of the public generally, will continue so.

An entertainment was given in the Ghuzneestreet schoolroom last night, by the choir of St. Peter’s, in aid of St. Slack’s Church. It was a success in every respect, the attendance being very numerous, and the programme was a varied and well-selected one, the songs, duets, and choruses which it contained being got through in a very creditable manner. A few of the pieces rendered deserve special mention. Two piano duets, “ Fairy Queen ” and “ Home Sweet Horae,” were rendered with exquisite taste. The choruses by the choir were all sung in a manner which reflected great credit upon their leader. A clarionet duet from “Norma” was given in fine style by two gentlemen, and the two songs “ Esmeralda ” and “ Beauty Sleep ” wore capital efforts. The entertainment was brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem.

The fine weather of the last few days (observes the Palea Mail), has had a most favorable affect throughout the district, and already farmers hopes are high for future crops. Lambing also has set in early, and the increase is so far highly satisfactory. Indeed pastoral and agricultural prospects are exceedingly good, and settlers have every reason for great satisfaction at the present outlook.

If a waste of gunpowder can assist the soul of a Maori, then that of Ihaka, of the Ngatikahungunu, who was for many years a resident at Akura, not far from this township (says the Masterton News Letter) should be comfortable. Ihaka seemed in very good health only a day or two before his death, but falling suddenly ill his relations gathered around him, evidently expecting an early dissolution, which actually took place either late on Friday night or early on Saturday morning, A number of guns, as well as a large quantity of gunpowder, been stored up in anticipation of the event, for about 2 a.m. on the latter day some twenty or thirty shots were fired, similar numbers following at short intervals. This was continued throughout the day, and even Sunday was enlivened with these volleys. During the afternoon of that day the funeral took place, the usual service of the English Church being read by Ihaia Whakamairu. Ihaka was a chief in his tribe, but his influence was nob very great. He was very friendly towards Europeans, and we are told objected to the practices of Hauhaus. He was baptised in 1847, being at that time about 37 years old. The Wellington correspondent of the Otago Daily Times is quite in accord with us in reference to the recent “Wakefield and wox*king mens’ ” episode. Under date August 22nd he writes ;—“Mr. Wakefield's abuse of Wellington and the Vogel Reception Committee, of which I gave you a full account in my last letter, has raised a tremendous storm in a teacup here, and a public meeting of a rather lively character has been held to denounce it. Anything more untrue or in worse taste than his remarks could not be conceived, but he has been made rather too much of over them,” It is really a pity that the correspondent had not a control over the foolish Wellington journalist or journalists who incited unnecessary demoufltrationa In regard to remarks that wore not worthy of notice.

The Jewish, Chronicle estimates that the children of Israel resident in Great Britain number 51,250,- of; whom 39,833 have sought homes in the metropolis. A number of the London clergymen (says the correspondent of the Dundee Advertiser) have begun to wage war on the ignorant street preachers who take possession of the street comers on Sunday afternoons. lam told that even Mr. Spurgeon occasionally gives them a stroke of his wit.

In our last issue (says the Manawatu Times of the 16th) was contained a report concerning a man who was lost in the bush near this township for a period of three days, but who luckily turned up just as a large party had been organised to go in search Of him. We have now to record a case of a somewhat similar nature, but concerning which there are strong grounds to fear a worse termination. A man named MoAdam, who, we understand, was one of the workmen engaged at the Hokowhitu saw mill, but who had been drinking for some time past, escaped the vigilance of his messmates on Saturday night last, and went into the bush. Owing to McAdam's condition at the time of his departure, it is feared that he walked into a large and dangerous lagoon which is situate in the bush a short distance from the mill. Search parties have been out, and the lagoon has been dragged, but as yet without finding the missing man.

The East Aberdeenshire Observer states that a few days ago the family of Mr. Murray, schoolmaster, Peterhead, fofind a lead type of the size and character known to printers as a great primer clarendon capital E between the flesh ahd bone of a leg of mutton, and partly embedded in the latter. It is supposed the sheep had been accidentally struck while young by some sportsmen using old type as slugs, and that the type, after penetrating to the bone, had been closed over by the flesh. The Lady-Day return issued by the Local Government Board shows that the number of persons then receiving relief from the rates in England and Wales was 700,332, which number shows a decrease of 70,169, or 9'B per cent., compared with the number at Lady-Day, 1875, and of 10 - 8 per cent., compared with LadyDay, 1874. The French have gained another great sporting victory on British soil. Of the fourteen competitors which entered for the Oaks Stakes at Epsom, four came from the south side of the Channel, and of these four two carried off between them the first and second prizes—Count Lagrange’s Camellia and M. Lupin’s Enguerrande having run a dead heat. Camellia, which was the favorite, had formerly distinguished herself by her success in the One Thousand Guineas.

A correspondent of the Scotsman in an Ayrshire borough writes ;—A church in this neighborhood possesses a choir, four of the male members of which lately presented a petition to the conductor, requesting him to dismiss the remaining members of the choir, because they had not been “ converted.” If the request were not complied with, they threatened to leave the choir; and because the precentor failed to carry out their Christian request, the four “ unco guid ” individuals actually absented themselves from their places the following Sunday. One Saturday lately the Barnsley magistrates imposed a fine of 20s. and costs upon a man named Stephenson for being the sender of a telegram which a Manchester police officer recently found on a betting man. The sending of this telegram, which said, “ Put me 10s. on Organist win, and 10s. for place at 8 and 2,” was held to be an infringement of the 3rd section of the Betting Act. This section enacts that any person sending or exhibiting a letter, circular, telegram, placard, handbill, card, or advertisement, for the purpose of or with respect to any such bet or wager as is mentioned in the Act, shall be liable to a penalty.