Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4840, 26 September 1876, Page 2

The Wellington Harbor Board Bill was introduced by message yesterday in the House of Representatives. The Counties Bill was discussed in committee, and the Bill ordered to be recommitted. The Education Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. Mr. Hunter, in reference to these measures, was in attendance at the House as his legislative duties required, and was therefore unable to be present at the Eire Brigade dinner and at another local gathering at which he desired to attend.

The following extract from a telegram from Captain .Eairchild to Mr. Seed, Secretary of Customs, has been courteously placed at our disposal by Mr. Seed. It possesses a mournful interest, as it tends to force upon us the sad truth that the Britain's Pride will never again be heard of :—"Bluff, September 25, 1876. We arrived at 3 p.m. to-day. We went into all the Sounds, and searched the coast from Jackson Bay to Foveaux Strait, and could not find any trace of the Britain's Pride. I do not think any portion of the Britain's Pride or any of the crew ever reached the New Zealand coast; if they had we must have seen something of them."

Last evening the Central Fire Brigade celebrated the opening of their new premises, Brandon-street, by a grand dinner. Sir Julius Vogel was to have been present, but there was great disappointment when it was found that owing to a severe attack of illness he was unable to leave home. A number of other gentlemen also forwarded apologies. Nevertheless, there was a very good attendance, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. The speeches were not of the usual afterdinner character. Captain Moss went into the relations between the brigades and insurance companies, and criticised in pretty trenchant terras the conduct of these latter gentlemen. So far as the argument went, Captain Mobs had much the best of it, but as the point is exceedingly interesting no doubt we shall hear more of it.

The ball in aid of the funds of the Star Boating Club, held in the Provincial Hall last night, was a success in every respect. There were about 140 present, including the Marquis and Marchioness of Normanby. Refreshments were provided on a most liberal scale by Mr. Levoi. An excellent band was in attendance, and dancing was kept up with great spirit till the small hours of the morning. A correspondent writes as follows: —" A paragraph having appeared in the evening papers to the effect that for the sheep offered for sale on Saturday last a bid of only 7s. was made, I beg most emphatically to contradict it. An inquiry was made by a bystander whether the auctioneer said 75., as he was not clearly heard, but no bid was made, and the auctioneer then stated that 17s. 6d. was the reserve, and the sheep have since been sold for 18s."

Stones from Mr. J. Blackstone's quarry can now be seen on the reclaimed land. These measure 15 x 10 x 5, and some kerbs 30 x 15 x 8. The quality appears undeniable, and as a single horse and dray, we are informed, has brought six loads in one day, the quarry may be considered within easy reach of town. A sample of hammer-dressed stone can be inspected at the Surveyor's office. Quantities of smaller sizes of this stone, suitable for yard paving, &c., are available at the quarry. The increase of pupils at the English High School has so outgrown the accommodation in Featherston-street that Messrs. Bowden and Perritt have determined to erect forthwith new and commodious premises for their pupils in Abel Smith-street upon an eligible and healthy site, lying between the residence of the Ven. Archdeacon Stock and Mr. Budden's market garden, to be ready for their reception after the Christmas vacation.

The Supreme Court sits in banco to-day at 11 a.m. The following is the cause listKeith v. Keith, for judgment; Feist v. Feist, decree; Cattell v. James,'demurrer; re Rotermond petition.

At the Theatre Royal last night the drama " Life in the Backwowds" was produced to a very fair audience. The performance was excellent ; Mrs. Darrell played Helen Crawford, and Mr. Darrell Rube Redmond. The entertainment wound up with the farce " Turn Him Out."

Dr. Carr had a good audience at the Boul-cott-street Hall last night, induced by the success of the entertainment on Saturday night. The gentlemen who presented themselves for cranial examination, as well as those who submitted to be mesmerized, were well known in Wellington, and his delineations of character in the former case were admittedly correct. A number of ladies were present Dr. Carr gives his lecture again to-night.

It is notified that the annual meeting of the Wellington Cricket Club will be held at the Pier Hotel on Thursday next at 8 p.m. Gentlemen desirous of joining the club are invited to be present.

A meeting of the Education Board is called for to-morrow at 11 o'clock.

The College Governors meet again on Monday next. The winter exhibition of the Wellington Horticultural Society comes off to-day, and promises to be very successful. In the House of Representatives yesterday evening Captain Morris gave notice that he would ask to be reimbursed for expenses he was put to in wresting the East Coast seat from Mr. Reid. '

Mr. Kennedy, M.H.R., has given notice to move that any member of the House of Representatives interested in pastoral leases, and voting on the same, shall be liable to a fine of £IOO for each vote he may give, to be recoverable in the ordinary law courts of the colony. There were a number of petty cases, namely of drunkenness and breaches of the Municipal by-laws, heard at the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, and a man brought up on suspicion of lunacy was remanded for eight days. Mr. E. J. Duncan's clearing sale will be resumed this day (Tuesday), at half-past one o'clock, commencing at lot 208. Luncheon at 1 o'clock.