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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4821, 4 September 1876, Page 2

The secretary to the Railway Committee at Maaterton is reported as having stated at a " recent meeting of the committee that he had forwarded reports of their proceedings to Mr. McKenzie, manager of the New Zealand Times, in order to have them inserted in this paper, but that no notice had been taken of them. In reference to this we may say that the editor, and not the manager, is the person to whom such matters should have been addressed. However, the neglect of this did not influence the subject under notice, as Mr. McKenzie informs us that he never received a communication from the secretary of the Railway Committee, Masterton. The secretary must cultivate mnemonics a little, or he will make mistakes. We understand that the Freemasons of the Scottish Constitution of the North Island have taken steps to form a Provincial Grand Lodge. The name of Mr, Frederick Whitaker has been mentioned for the position of first Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, and that of Dr. Alexander Johnston, R.W.M., of Lodge Waterloo, Wellington, as first Right Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master. We are glad to see this mark of respect to the father of Freemasonry in the colony, Mr. Whitaker having been the first Worshipful Master of the Lodge Ara, Auckland, and hope that the members of the fraternity will ba successful in their efforts to establish the new. Provincial Lodge on a good firm basis. It is expected that the above will be brought before the Masonic convention to be held to-day in the Provincial Chambers. Mr. O. J. Toxward, who was so much injured by the recent coach accident, was brought into town yesterday by Mr. Hast well. Dr. Diver having recommended that this should be done. Mr. Shirley, of the Featherston Hotel, who with Mrs. Shirley hod done everything possible by careful attention and watching to alleviate Mr. Toxward’s sufferings, accompanied him, and though every means was adopted to make the journey easy to the patient, he was in great pain the whole way. The trip occupied from half-past eight to half-past five. Mr. R. J. Duncan, who is badly shaken, also came into town by the same [conveyance. Messrs. Toxward and Duncan are exceedingly thankful to Mr. and Mrs. Shirley and Mr. Hastwell for the kindness they have shown during the past few days.

The Wellington team to compete with the Canterbury men in a football match, to be played at the Hutt on Tuesday or Wednesday, will be chosen from the following players;—A. Bishop, J. Bishop, A. Campbell, Gr. Campbell, Gr. Blackett, Cowio, H. Hickson, W. P. James, L. E. Lee, R. Gr. Park, H. Pollen, C. Pratt, K. Riddiford, Speed, A, I). Smith, J. Thompson, and P. Webb. The Hutt has been chosen as the scene of play, in response to a request made by the other side, the Basin Reserve being unsuitable. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court on Saturday a few cases of drunkenness wore heard. A man named Carver, charged with failing to comply with an order of the Court for the maintenance of a child, was admitted to bail. Ha had been arrested at Masterton. One assault case was sot down for hearing, but neither of the parties to it putting In an appearance, the case was struck out.

Mr. Moeller meets the Te Are electors at the Victoria Hotel this evening. We have to acknowledge receipt of a copy of the Wellington Jockey Club’s programme for the annual meeting to he held in February A concert is announced to take place this evening at St. John’s Presbyterian Church schoolroom, under the. direction of Mrs., Palmer and her,daughters, who we believe are exceedingly clever. The adjourned meeting of the Education Board took place on Saturday afternoon, the business being of no public interest, consisting simply in the revision of the rules of the Board

The increased interest in the Philosophical Society, as evidenced by the large attendance at the meeting on Saturday evening, is'most refreshing ; whilst those who were there were greatly gratified by the very instructive and cleverly written papers read. The following is a return of in the Provincial Hospital during and ending the month of August, 1876:—Admitted, 20 males, 2 females; discharged, 16 males, 3 females ; died, 2 males ; left in Hospital, 39 males, 6 , females. Total remaining, 44. A prisoner arrived by the Taranaki yesterday, charged with having committed forgery. It is alleged that he altered a cheque for £2 2s. to £2O 2s. His name is Peter Bonnell. He will be taken before the Resident Magistrate this morning, and probably will be remanded to Masterton. Bather a smart shook of earthquake occurred at times differently stated from ten minutes past to twenty minutes past 12 o’clock on Saturday night. The shock consisted of one violent vibration from north to south. Another slight tremor was reported to have occurred about 5 o’clock.

The schooner Herald was for sale at public auction by Mr. George Thomas on Saturday afternoon. The reserve placed upon her was £IOOO, and this sum not being reached by some £25 she was bought in. The schooner Merlin, cutter Esk, and ballast lighter Rambler were also offered, but the biddings not being sufficiently high they were passed in. A great treat is in store for the musicloving public of Wellington, as the management of the Theatre Royal announce the appearance at that place of amusement on Thursday of the De Murska Company. The large number who were unable to obtain admission during the recent season will now have the opportunity of hearing Mdlle. De Murska to the best advantage. The following is the result of Saturday night’s play in connection with the chess match now proceeding:—

Lusk v. Bonbow, winner, Benbow, Club. Ballance v. Orbell, ~ Ballanco, House of K. Bryce v. Reeves, ~ Club. Greenwood v. Brown, ~ Greenwood, House E. Greenwood v. Skey, „ Skey, Club. Total games played :—House, 11 ; Club, 7 ; drawn, 2 ; total, 20. Play will be resumed on Saturday evening next, at half-past 7 o’clock. There was a very good attendance at the Theatre Eoyal on Saturday night, circle, stalls, and pit being well filled. The entertainment commenced with the farce “The Wandering Minstrel,” which was not so well represented as it might have been had certain of the players known more of their parts. Hegarty’s Combination Troupe were of course very entertaining. Several new songs were introduced, and generally the programme was as excellent as others we have favorably noticed, and the performers were applauded to the echo. Encores were frequently demanded, and good naturedly responded to. The same programme will be gone through this evening, when there will doubtless be a good attendance.

There was a more numerous attendance at the Kaiwarra sports on Saturday than many persons expected. The half-mile running handicap was run, the following being the entries: —Moran, scratch; Hearn, 10yds. start; Jones (of Nelson), 15yds. start. This match was for a silver-plated cup, and was run in the enclosure made for the performance by Mr. Wiltshire of the 1000 miles walking feat, whilst the latter was taking a rest. They started at a quarter-past four o’clock, and the result was Jones, 1 (time, 2min. 33sec.); Moran, 2 (time, 2min. f Oaec.); Hearn, 3 (time, 2min. 44sec. For Saturday next a walking handicap has been arranged, the prize a silver watch.

Another large landslip occurred at the excavation works on the Hutt road last Saturday. No damage was done fortunately, but the slip was perhaps more dangerous than the previous one which smashed some trucks. Not only earth came away, but large stones, which fell across the road, and had anyone been passing at the precise time of the fall the effect would have been very serious. Had the slip occurred half-an-hour earlier, the men who were working on the hill at this point would perhaps have been killed; they certainly would have been injured. It is evident that greater caution should be exercised by the men engaged excavating in connection with the recla mation contract. It is the custom, a foolish one, to work at the base of the hill, and blasts are put in, which leave the brow overhanging, and the ground is of such a loose and porous character that it will not hold together, the consequence being that when the foot is out away the top falls. This should be avoided if possible, however little importance may be attached to imperilling human life and, endangering human limbs, because the road is narrow, and it is inconvenient to have it obstructed at intervals by these falls of earth and rook.