Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4824, 7 September 1876, Page 2

In the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, the Premier. intimated that in all probability the House would, for the remainder of the session, be asked to Bit on Mondays. The Hon. John Hall, pending the report of the committee appointed by the Legislative Council to enquire into the position of the two extra-members of the Government, has not deemed it desirable to take his seat in the Council. Yesterday the hon. gentleman did not appear in his place, and Dr. Pollen informed hon.' members that he was not present for the reason given above. The following tenders were received at the Public Works Office, Wellington, for the Mercer aud Newcastle contract of the Kaipara to Punui railway :— Accepted : Daniel Fallon, Auckland, £16,832. Declined: W. H. Topham, Auckland, £22,994 ; John Brett, Auckland, £23,129 ; Alex. Watson and Colebrook, Auckland, £25,323 ; Alex. Smith, Auckland, £27,534 ; John Taylor, Auckland, £29,529 ; Kichard Dickson, Auckland, £32,635 ; W. H. Clarke, Newcastle, £32,985 ; Wm. Cameron, Auckland, £33,945.

Mr. Header Wood was a little too candid in the House yesterday. In the course of a discussion he mentioned that though for six years past he had been a member of the Public Petitions Committee, he had in disgust at its inutility given up attending meetings of the committee' for the last four years; Shortly afterwards Mr. 'Andrew gave notice to move that the name of Mr. Wood be expunged from the list of members of the Public Petitions Committee. Mr. E. T. Gillon is not satisfied with the manner in which he is reported in the New Zealand Timbb. Some people are never satisfied. In order to give this gentleman no opportunity of grumbling, the New Zealand Times has reported the proceedings at his election meetings, when under the rule of proper journalism .it need not have done so. Mr. Gillon hot having condescended to give us intimation of those meetings, we might have refused to have noticed them. But lest he should raise a .whining cry of perscution, we did notice them, and this is our thanks. The Theatre Royal was fairly attended last evening, when the Bates Dramatic Company gave a very attractive entertainment, commencing with the representation of " Don Cajsar De Bazan," after which Miss tiizzia Morgan sang a ballad, for which she was loudly applauded, the farce entitled " A Kiss in the Dark" being the concluding piece. Tonight there should be a good attendance; as Mddle lima De Murska and company are to make their re-appearance in Wellington, at the Theatre Royal.

The plant of the Wairarapa Carrying Company was sold- yesterday by Mr. Duncan, at Messrs. Turnbull and Co.'s yards, on the reclaimed land. ' There was a large attendance, and the bidding throughout was very spirited. * At the Hutt" Licensing Court yesterday, a transfer of the license of the Taita Hotel was granted to Mr. Worth, and that of the Mungaroa Hotel to Mr. Wagg. .. There was no opposition. ... ■; ~-...

A member of the police force, of Wellington left by the Hawea forJDunedin, with the object of bringing up Charles E. Haughton. A Maori has this year won the district champion belt'annually fired for by the Thames Volunteers.

There was no business of any importance transacted at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Lower Hutt, yeaterday. " Fairplay " has not complied with the rule requiring the real name and address of a writer (not necessarily for publication), and his letter therefore cannot be inserted.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday there were only two canes of ordinary drunkenness, which were disposed of in the usual manner. There was no civil business.

Wiltshire is walking steadily, though his pace has decreased considerably since the start; but he appears confident of success, and is not so tired as might be expected of one with a less robust constitution.

A ball in aid of the Star Boating Club will be held at the Provincial Hall on Monday next, the 25th September. The advertisement states that tickets may be obtained from Messrs. Lyon and Blair, and Jackson, and from members of the committee.

The following telegram has been received from the principal Jightkeeper at Manukau Heads :—" Picked up under South Head two pieces planking 9 feet long, 7 by 4 inches, being burnt nearly through; a spar, jibboom and flying jibboom in one, 49 feet long, heel of mast burnt within two feet of head and other burnt timber—all American pine."

The pure-bred shorthorned bulls, Lord Brilliant and Duke of Edinburgh, were landed from the ship Waikato yesterday morning. They are splendid animals, and considering the hardships of a long sea voyage, are in Bplendid condition. They come consigned to Messrs. Tumbull and Co., from whom particulars as to pedigree and so forth may be obtained. The shareholders of the Empire Gas Consumers Company held a meeting at the Odd Fellows' Hall last evening. The attendance wa3 numerous, and the report prepared by the provisional directors was unanimously adopted. We have been given to understand that it is the intention of the promoters energetically to proceed with the undertaking. The p.s. Manawatu, which arrived in Wellington yesterday, brought a natural curiosity in the shape of a lamb which has eight legs, four ears, one eye, and two tails. The little animal was born at Wanganui, but died shortly afterwards. Mr. Dougherty, the purser of the Manawatu, brought it to Wellington with the object of having it stuffed. This, as Mark Twain might say, is " no slouch " of a lamb for Wanganui to produce, and certainly rivals the Wairarapa calf. The first meeting of the Karori-Makara Road Board was held at the old schoolhouse, Karori, on Saturday last. Mr. Charles C. Graham was appointed chairman, and Mr. Bowler treasurer to the Board. This being the first meeting held since the separation of the district, there was not much business done, the Board being in ignorance of its exact position financially ; and the clerk was consequently instructed to apply to the chairman of the Wellington Country Districts Highway Board for full information regarding the balance of funds due to the Karori-Makara Board ; also as to the state of the contracts, and whether the rate for this district had been struck for the current year. The Board decided on enforcing that clause of the Impounding Act by which owners are authorised to impound cattle from off the highways adjoining their properties. The members were unanimous on this point, in consequence of the serious damage done in many instances by these cattle, not only to the roads themselves, but to private properties. Mr. Prenderville, of Makara, was appointed clerk to the Board, and Mr. Robinson collector. Future meetings of the Board will be held on the first Saturday in each month at 2 o'clock, at the old schoolhouse, Karori. The football match—Canterbury v. Wellington—will be played at the Hutt to-day, the team chosen from the Wellington players being as follows:—A. Campbell, G. Campbell, A. D. Smith, H. Pollen, J. Thompson, W. P. James, R. G. Park, Cowie, li. E. Lee, Allan, Bishop, Speed, F. Hillsden, H. Hickson, Keith, and N. Grace. Play will commence at half-past 2 o'clock. Wo understand that his Excellency the Governor has consented to be present on the occasion. Should the weather prove favor-ible, there will in all probability be a large attendance of spectators, as unusual interest is taken in the match, the Canterbury team having been beaten by the Auckland players, and having gained a victory over the Nelson players. The teams will leave Wellington station by the 1.30 p.m. train, and as before stated play will be commenced at half-past 2 o'clock. In the evening the Wellington football players will entertain their visitors at the Panama Hotel. Special trains leave Wellington during the day for the Hutt. A somewhat singular attempt at suicide was made early last Saturday morning (says the Wairarapa Standard of September 5) by a middle-aged man named Th«mas Wetherly, who during the past three months has been working on a road contract in the Lower Hutt Valley. As far as we can learn he came to the Tauherenikau Hotel on Friday evening, and was provided with a bed there. About midnight the landlord discovered Wetherly striking off matches in a dangerous manner, and in consequence turned him out of his establishment. There is little doubt but that WetSerly was suffering from delirium tremens, and that the rash attempt which he made on his own life was due to temporary insanity caused by excessive drinking. Shortly after daylight on Saturday morning he was observed lying by the side of the main road, half way between Tauherenikau and Greytown, in a pool of blood, with a razor beside him, with which he had completely severed his windpipe. Constable Byrn was immediately informed of the discovery, and galloping down found him alive and had him conveyed to the Wairarapa Hospital, where he was attended by Dr. Spratt. We are glad to learn that in spite of the serious wound made iu his throat he is likely to recover. He has had every attention paid to him both by Dr. Spratt and the custodian of the hospita l . We trust the Licensing Bench of this district will deem it their duty to investigate this case. A certain amount of responsibility resta on its members to see that licensed houses do not conduct their business in such a manner as to result in self-murder or sudden death.