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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4828, 12 September 1876, Page 2

Sir Julius Vogel resigned his seat for Wanganui yesterday. This was notified to the House last evening, and the Premier immediately moved for the issue of a new writ, which was agreed to. The mail steamer City of Sydney arrived at Auckland yesterday at 11 a.m., a day behind her contract time. She may be expected to arrive here on Wednesday night or Thursday morning.

Steps were yesterday taken by Sir George Grey to issue writs against each of the nine Ministers, and against Sir Julius Vogel, to recover penalties for their misdeeds. Mr. Rees is acting as solicitor for Sir George Grey. There were none of these pickings during provincial sessions, so probably Mr. Rees may begin to see that these Colonial Parliaments are not so bad after all. A number of members of the House of Representatives, including Messrs. Bastings, Stout, and others, accompanied Mr. MoKirdy over the Bimutaka yesterday, and inspected the railway works in progress. They walked over the mountain, following as far as possible the line under construction, and returned to town late last night tired but satisfied, with the exception of Messrs. Bastings and Stout, who put in an appearance in the House about 11 o'clock.

Mr. Andrew has given notice of some peculiar questions for Ministers to answer. In his speech the other evening he said various members of the Ministry had given various accounts of the reason why Sir Julius Vogel in the session of 1874 had not acquainted the House of his intention to leave the colony for England ; and the hon. member has followed up his remarks by industriously collecting the speeches of each member of the Ministry who spoke on the subject, and will ask each Minister in turn whether his statement was correct. It is a novel series of questions. Sir Julius Vogel, we are informed by a private telegram, published his retiring address to his constituents in Wanganui yesterday. The address is largely a reproduction of his speech on announcing to the House the retirement of the Ministry of which he was the head.

Mr. Montgomery has introduced an Act to prevent members of Parliament and others from being appointed to offices of emolument under the Government of New Zealand. The text of the Bill is as follows :—Whereas it is desirable to amend the Disqualification Act, 1870, be it therefore enacted by the General Asssembly of New Zealand in Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows ;—l. The short title of this Act shall be the Disqualification Act Amendment Act, 1876. 2. If any person shall, while he is a member of the Assembly, or within twelve months after ceasing to be such member, accept any office or place or profit under the Crown, he shall forfeit the sum of fifty pounds sterling for every week he shall hold such office or place, with full costs of suit to any person who shall sue for the same : provided always that nothing contained in this section shall extend or apply to any person accepting any of the offices or places of Ministers mentioned in the seventh section of the Civil List Act 1863 Amendment Act, 1873, or to the Speakers of the Legislative Council or of the House of Representatives, or to the Chairman of Committees in either the Legislative Council or the House of Representatives, or to the Chairman of the Public Petitions Committee in either the Legislative Council or the House of Representatives, or the office of Judge of the Supreme Court, or that of the Agent-General of the colony. 3. This Act shall commence and be deemed and taken to have commenced and come into operation from the end of the session of Parliament begun and holden on the fifteenth day of’June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six. Messrs. Risley and Humphrey exhibited their panorama, generally known as the Mirror of England, at the Odd Fellows’ Hall last night. This was their first appearance in New Zealand, and the house was crowded in every part. The subject of the panorama is the river Thames from its source to the Pool of London, every scene being in itself a perfect picture, and the only cause for regret we experienced was that a longer time was not allowed to view each scene. However, the management had to get through a great deal of work and bring their entertainment to a close in reasonable time, and we must suggest to those whose feelings on the matter coincide with our own to pay another visit to the Hall during Messrs. Risley and Humphrey’s stay. There are between seventy and eighty scenes, and all are so well executed that it would be almost invidious to particularise ; but some of them, such as the city of Oxford, Windsor Castle, Chelsea Hospital, and the views of the city of London, are so generally known and faithfully pourtrayed that anyone of an imaginative temperament, like our reporter, could fancy himself at Home again. The proprietors in their programme characterise their entertainment as “moral, instructive, and intellectual, as well as an artistic treat.” There is no doubt that the pictures are the production of first-class artists, and we certainly agree with their other statements as to the high class of the exhibition. After the views of “ Old Father Thames,” two pictures representing the town of Cowes, Isle of Wight, and the clipper yacht America racing for the Royal Yacht Squadron Cup, were exhibited; and throughout the entertainment the frequent applause of the audience testified their appreciation of its merits. Appropriate music was played during each scene, and Mr. Thos. Kennedy delivered a most interesting explanatory lecture. We can only hope that the proprietors will see their way to protract their stay for a longer period than the week advertised, as we are sure if they do so they will meet ■with a hearty support from the Wellington public. It is our duty to speed the parting guest as much as to welcome the coming one, and the lovers of music in Wellington attended in good round numbers at the Theatre Royal last night to bid farewell to the great cantatrice. The peformance commenced with an overture by the orchestra, which was excellently rendered and well received. Signor Susini followed in tho scena “lufelice,” from Verdi’s “Ernani,” and was thoroughly appreciated. Mr. Hadley's pianoforte solo “Semirande” was well executed, and went down well with the audience. Mddle. lima De Murska then sang “ Ohe Jioga,” described in the programme as a vocal waltz, and was rapturously received. Singing as an encore “Coming through the Rye,” the enthusiasm of the house was raised to the highest pitch, and it was with great difficulty Mdlle. Do Murska escaped a third appearance. Signor Rosnati followed in the barcarole “Ballo in Maschera,” by Verdi, and deservedly received an encore. Sainton’s violiu solo “ Fantasie Ecossaise” was then played by Maestro Strauss Ilia in excellent style. He almost seemed to make the instrument speak, and literally brought down the house. Tho encore which followed brought the first part to a close. After the interval an overture was played by the orchestra, which was followed by a grand duo, Signori Rosnati and Susini being the artists. This was encored, and tho last part of it was repeated. Mdlle. De Murska then sang the Shadow Song, from “ Dinorah,” with appropriate effects, and was rapturously applauded, refusing, however, to accept the intended encore. Signor Susini followed and was encored, and Signor Rosnati then sang an English ballad, and in his turn was encored. Maestro Strauss Ilia then executed the pianoforte solo “ Grand Valae,” by Wallace, and as an encore played a “medley,” which was thoroughly appreciated. The Miserere Scene needs no description—suffice it that the audience were completely carried away. Some of the members of the Philharmonic Society assisted in the chorus. The performance came to a close a little after ten.

Mr. Clapoott, travelling agent for the Government Life Insurance department, will deliver a lecture at the Buckle-street schoolroom to-morrow evening, after which he will give some of his readings from favorite authors.

(The WazrarapaStandard states that lambingi in' the district is progressing satisfactorily this: season, the -weather being most favorable for it. > Ia Maori prisoner arrived by the steamer; Tui at an early hour this mornings and will be brought-before the Court a t thi? morning’s sitting. V

The second of the balls to be given in addition to the Assembly balls will be held in the Provincial Hall on Monday next. Particulars concerning it have appeared in our advertising columns.

Sunday’s rowdyism was continued yesterday, and at the theatre last night three or four inebriates interrupted Mdlle. He Muraka’s performance. One of them found his way into durance vile, and this morning no doubt will receive the due reward of merit.

A meeting of the Wellington Choral Society Committee was held last evening, when several matters were arranged. It was decided to give the next concert on or about Thursday,. 28th inst. Owing to the increased number of subscribers, no tickets will be sold to the public for the next concert. A number of “drunks and disorderlies” were disposed of at the sitting of the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, and a complaint was made by the police as to the amount of rowdyism manifested in town throughout the day. It is not often we have to record a complaint of this kind, and we deeply regretthatin our own citysuch a state of things should exist, especially during Sunday and at a time when people were going to and returning from church. The burlesque of “Lalla Rookh” is to be presented at the Theatre Royal this evening. We can only say that in this piece Mrs. Bates has made the part of Prince Fernmorz especially her own, and the lovers of the drama who take the opportunity of witnessing this performance will experience a genuine treat. The performances of this facile and fascinating actress are deservedly popular in Wellington, especially in burlesque, and with the addition of the magnificent scenery and appointments which are promised, will afford a treat rarely experienced.

A rather curious occurrence is announced in our telegrams from Auckland. Captain Diaz, master of a cutter called the Start, fell overboard, and .the crew, which consisted of two men, manned the dingy, for the purpose of rescuing him, but before they had reached him the unfortunate man was drowned. On turning to go to the cutter, the men found that she was sailing away to sea without anyone on board. They had probably in their hurry to get into the boat for the purpose of picking up the captain forgotten to take in the sails, and the vessel sailed away as stated, leaving them behind. She eventually drifted ashore on the Little Barrier.

No less than 34 horses were shipped in the steamer Taupo for Lyttelton yesterday afternoon. While being got on board one of them fell down between the wharf and the steamer. Fortunately the vessel was some distance off, or else the unfortunate animal would have been killed, as it was in his descent he struck the fender, but sustained no injury. He swam out clear of the steamer and the wharf, and after being In the water for over fifteen minutes he was driven ashore at Lambtonquay, not much the worse for his swim beyond his fright. The following telegram has been sent to us for publication. It is in reply to a request from the Secretary of Customs that further search might be made for the purpose of ascertaining if possible the name of the vessel portions of which were reported by the lightkeeper at Manukau Heads as having recently washed on shore there :—“ Manukau Heads, Sept. 11. I have seen the wreck previously reported, and have also discharged part of top side at the blow-hole inside the harbor, the whole of the wreck appears to belong to a vessel of about 200 tons measurement, and is free of grass or barnacles. X think the wreck has drifted from the northward in the vicinity of Kaipara. Further search and enquiry is being made. The vessel is American built.— (Signed) Thomas Wing, harbor-master.”

We have been requested to call attention to Mr. C. E. Hart’s sale of fat cattle at Messrs. Bethune and Hunter’s yards at 11 o’clock this morning. These cattle are to be sold without reserve.