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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4861, 20 October 1876, Page 2

Warning for southerly gales were sent out yesterday afternoon, and the glass has commenced to rise from Lyttelton southward. The consideration of Sir George Grey’s Permissive Abolition Bill in the House of Representatives last night, was made an order of the day for Thursday next. Mr. Pearce managed to get the Wellington Loans Consolidation Bill passed through the House of Representatives last night. The Bill was very low down on the Order Paper; but he represented the urgency of the measure, and that unless it were passed the city of Wellington would be prevented from increasing its water supply or carrying out necessary drainage work ; and after a short fight he succeeded in getting the Bill into committee. Some slight amendments were made, and the Bill was passed, . In the Legislative Council on Wednesday, at the evening sitting, the Municipal Corporations Bill was reported with amendments ; the schedules of the Counties Bill were considered, and amended in accordance with the report of the Waste Lands Committee ; the Palmerston (South) Athenaeum Bill passed through committee ; and the Riverton and Waitara Harbor Board Bills were referred to the Waste Lands Committee.

There was a rather heavy charge-sheet at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Ed. Gough and Wm. Williamson, two lads, were charged with having committed a breach of the peace. It appeared that they had some difference of opinion, and were settling it by fisticuffs when Detective Farrell arrived on the scene and put a stop to the combat. The case was dismissed. The boy Parsons was brought up on remand charged with obtaining a meerschaum pipe under false pretences, and discharged, Inspector Atcheson explaining that his friends would deal with him. Frederick George, apprentice to John E. Evans, saddler, was fined Is. and costs for deserting his service for two hours. A woman named Mary Deck was sent to prison for one month for vagrancy. Louisa Smith was again, brought up charged with concealing the birth of a child, and further evidence having been taken, she was remanded, as also was her mother, charged with having murdered the child referred to. This concluded the business.

The following is the text of the address presented to Lady Yogel by members of Parliament :—“Lady Vogel,—We, whose names are hereto attached, being members of the Parliament’ of New Zealand, cannot allow you to depart without bearing away with you some token which may remind you of your many New Zealand friends, whose earnest desire it is that they may still retain a place in your kindly recollection amid the new friendships you may form in the mother country. Intrinsically valueless as this tribute of our affectionate regard may be, we feel assured that in the exercise of those generous sentiments which are so inseparable a portion of your nature, you will invest the gift with a value chiefly arising from the kindly feelings to which it owes its origin. Our interest in your welfare will not be severed by your absence, and we shall long retain a lively and pleasing recollection of your genuine gentleness and unvarying kindness.”

In the House of Representatives yesterday Mr. Larnach endeavored to get further consideration of the petition of Messrs. Brogden and Sons “ relative to the payment made by them to the late Agent-General on account of .certain adult immigrants brought into this colony.” He moved for a committee, specially named, to inquire into the terms of the petition. The House very properly rejected the petition, it having already received the fullest consideration at the hands of the Assembly. The act of introducing the subject so late in the session might have been more reasonable if there had been the remotest possibility of an injustice having been done by a want of proper care in the matter of inquiring into the merits of the case ; but this petition came before the House in 1873, and was then made the subject of investigation by a select committee, who reported that the petitioners had no claim either in law or in equity. Major Atkinson pointed out the position of affairs, and expressed regret that the motion should have been brought forward. In consequence of which, Mr. Larnach was not enthusiastic, and did not reply, the motion being negatived by a large majority.

In the, course of the debate in the Legislative Council last night on the principle of endowments for Harbor Boards, the Hon. Mr. Paterson said he thought that it was useless endowing these bodies at the present period of the session, inasmuch as no works could be completed which, would be available for the present wool season. These remarks having been made, it will be a grave question for consideration whether or not it would be desirable to introduce some new power into the Council to neutralise the preponderance of the wool.'element, that is, the wool element as represented by gentlemen like Mr. Paterson. Sir Jno. Richardson remarked that the Council should at least bo consistent, for he could not understand the grant of 50,000 acres to the Molynoux last session, and the refusal of every speties of endowment during this. He was prepared to be consistent, and to propose that all the Harbor Board Bills should be set aside. •

, It has been frequently remarked that carpenters and builders, when they are employing themselves at a height from the ground, betray most culpablo’carelessness when shifting about timber. They appear many of them to have no regard to the people who may bo passing below, and accidents accasionally happen in consequence.' Persons might not be disposed to make it complaint oh receiving an odd bruise from a falling plank ; but yesterday a gentleman received serious injury while passing a building- jn r course of erection, , on Lambtonquay. He was - struck by a board which one

man was attempting to handle without assistance. The board fell on his head, and he fell to the ground stunned,’his head being badly cut.A little more care should be exercised by these men, otherwise accidents ,of i a very serious nature mayj arise..' Only last week a (child narrowly escaped , being struck by a sheet of corrugated iron which fell from a Sloping roof, no attempt whatever having been made to secure the iron. . The following is a sample of the correspondence sent to certain Otago journals :—“ The Government supporters nowplaylawn tennis all the afternoon sitting, and late at night they come in dress costume from balls and suppers, and reprove the House' for not getting on with the public business.” The following gentlemen have been chosen to represent the Lex Cricket Club in the match to be played on Saturday next with the Wellington Volunteer Artillery Cricket Club, viz. :—Messrs. Bell (captain), Ollivier, Bees, Williamson, Salmon, Wills, Hall, Campbell, Speed, Harrison, and Major. There was a good attendance last night at the Theatre Eoyal, particularly in the dresscircle and stalls. “ The Colleen Bawn” was repeated. To-night “East Lynne” will be be produced.