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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4836, 21 September 1876, Page 4

The members of the Wellington Club intend to entertain Sir Julius Vogel on Saturday evening next, previous to his departure from the colony. A large number of members have signified their intention of being presentThe Council at their evening sitting last night went into committee on the Debtors and Creditors Bill, the Fraudulent Debtors Bill, and the Public Works Bill. In each case progress was reported and leave given to sit again. The Council adjourned at 9.25. The debate on the proposal of Mr. Larnach yesterday for an increase in the honorarium to members was not of a lively character, for the simple reason that every member deemed it to be incumbent on him to say something about the question before the House, and the difficulty became very great, after the talk had proceeded a certain time, to say anything knew or give it original expression. Consequently some hon. gentlemen were reduced to the necessity of making short essays on branch subjects, their ideas occasionally flowing with such rapidity that no one then entering the House would have supposed their remarks to have any reference to the subject which had originated the debate. Ultimately the motion that the House go into committee on the day following to consider the advisability of increasing the honorarium was carried, but the second proposal, or latter part of the motion, that the additional sum be £3OO, was withdrawn, the amount, if any, to be voted being thus left to tbe decision of the committee.

Messrs. Robertson and Co., of the Phoenix Foundry, are making to order some wool presses for different parts of the colony. They are modelled on a new plan, under the superintendence of Mr. Speedy. At the foundry yesterday, on the upper storey, a trial of one of these presses was made in the presence of a number of members r:' Parliament and some of the leading mercantile gentlemen of this city, and the trial, which was made with the press destined for Christchurch, proved eminently satisfactory. The improvement in the plan on which they are made consists in this, that the upper portion of the press is a simple framework of doors, each door opening after the wool has been pressed into the bottom compartment, on the pins being taken out of the wooden bars which encircle them when shut. One of these doors is kept open for the purpose of putting in the wool. This is a decided improvement on the old plan, and saves labor, because formerly it was the custom to put the wool into the press from the extreme top of the press, and this had to be reached by means of a ladder attached to the machine. A number of runholders were present, and the trial appeared to give general satisfaction. Messrs. Robertson and Co. have received orders for a number of these presses from different parts of the colony, and one is being made for Mr. J. Martin, of Wellington. A meeting of members of the Artillery Corps was held at the Bhop of Mr. Budge, Willis-street, on Tuesday evening, for the purpose of considering the question of forming a cricket club in connection with the corps; and J.t was then decided to hold another meeting shortly for the purpose of arranging preliminaries. This idea, if carried out successfully, will no doubt have a beneficial result, as it will tend in a great measure to keep together the members of the corps, and give them a greater interest in maintaining it. The Theatre Royal was not opened last night in consequence of the continued illness of members of the company, but to-night the company will certainly perform, and Mr. and Blrs. F. M. Bates will appear in the play of " Lucretia Borgia," the entertainment to conclude with the farce of " Turn Him Out," in which the advertisement states Miss Mellicent King will make her first appearance. On Saturday Mi-, and Mrs. George Darrell will appear again before a Wellington audience, and as they are great favorites here, as elsewhere, we have no doubt the coming season will be a successful one.

The Central Fire Brigade were what is commonly called " sold " last night, but the sell in this instance testified to zeal and activity. On the Arawata leaving the wharf the big bell on board was made to ring, and numbers o£ persons in town took it to be an alarm of fire emanating from the Te Aro firebell. So thought members of the Central Brigade, who turned out promptly, but only to find that there was in reality no fire at all, and they had to turn in again.

A very violent member of the rowdy class of humanity was taken into custody last night by Detective Farrell, who found him (William Hayes) lying in the new building on the site of the National Hotel. He struck Farrell on the face with great force, leaving an ugly looking mark as evidence of the assault. He will be charged with the offence at the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning. A meeting of the committee of the Benevolent Institution was held on Tuesday afternoon. Present—Bishop Hadfield (elected chairman), Archdeacon Stock, Rev. W. H. West, Kev. B. W. Harvey, Rev. F. Sherriff, Rev. A. Reid, Messrs. J. Woodward, D. Lewis, J. G. Holdsworth, and the secretary. The usual business was transacted.

A quarterly meeting of the District Grand Lodge (Masonic) will be held in the Masonic Hall, Boulcott-street, this evening. It is announced that all members who have been summoned and ex officio members will be expected to be present. A charge of stealing £lB was laid by Mr. Lusty yesterday against a man named Frederick Young, who was taken into custody and will appear before the Resident Magistrate today.

The Wellington Athletic Club have resolved to hold several meetings of hare and hounds during the coming season. The first meeting will take place on Saturday next, and will be confined to members of the club and pupils of the Wellington College.

There were no cases of any description at the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday. Mr. Crawford as usual proceeded to the Hutt, to hold a court there.

Mr. R. J. Duncan commenced his large clearing sales yesterday at 11 30. At one o'clock there was a short interval for luncheon, when over 100 people partook of the good things provided, and his Worship the Mayor proposed the health of the auctioneer in highly complimentary terms. The toast was diunk by those present with tho warmest expressions of approval. Mr. Duncan replied in brief terms, and was much cheered in doing so. Tho quantity of merchandise disposed of was very large, and good faith was kept throughout as respects the totally unreserved character of tho sales. Tho auction will bo resumed on Friday (to-morrow), 22nd instant, at 11.30 a.m., at lot MO in catalogue.

Owing to the Manawatu not leaving here according to time Mr. Hart's sale of sheep is unavoidably postponed, of which further notice will be given in the Argus.— Atjvt.