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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4912, 19 December 1876, Page 2

The twenty-third edition of the Wellington Almanack is published to-day.' Considering the length of time that this work has been before the public of the Provincial District of Wellington, it is almost needless to offer any comment on its merits. So far as the body of the publication is concerned, it contains all matter inserted in its predecessors. The sailing directions have been most carefully revised and corrected under able supervision. The notes on the planet Mars and other astronomical matters are also a feature in the book, as is the ■ statistical information, whiph has been almost entirely remodelled. The descriptive articles on the various provinces and their resources are also worthy of notice. The official directory is nearly complete; but owing to the change consequent upon the carrying into effect of the Abolition policy, alterations will no doubt take place in the various departments during the current year. The postal and' telegraph information is most, complete in .its character, and the memorabilia give a chronological record of events of importance for the year. The gardeners’ chronicle has been supervised by Mr. Jeffs, which is a sufficient guarantee for its value and usefulness. The most important feature in the Almanack is the addition of a street directory, which has been compiled at much trouble and expense, and will undoubtedly be of great service to theme’rcantile community. The country directory is also very complete, and will no doubt be found most useful. The advertisements have been put in such a form as to really make them a trade directory, which cannot fail to be an additional advantage to advertisers, as well as a convenience to the public. A map, showing the boundaries of the new counties and ridings, is presented with the Almanack, and also portraits of Sir Julius Vogel and the late Dr. Featheraton, with short sketches of the public career of each. Considering the price of the book, which is only 2s. 6d.j it should meet with a large amount of public support. It can be obtained of all booksellers and stationers throughout the province. The proposed alterations in the Queen’s wharf have been considerably modified. It is now intended to widen the main wharf to the extent of 22ft. along its whole length, to widen the middle T by lift, on the east side, and to lengthen the same T 60ft. at the north end and 260 ft. at the south end, ’or 320 ft. in all. The City Surveyor is preparing, the specifications, and tenders will be advertised for as soon as the ; plans are complete. The wharf accommodation should soon be all that is required, and the traffic, which has been increasing from year to year, should be considerably augmented, especially considering the recent reduction in the wharf charges.

The following entries were received at the New Zealander Hotel last, night for the forthcoming Caledonian Sports : —Maiden Eace.— J. Jackson, E. Webb, ~F. Curcas, J. Simpson, D. Parsonage, W. Archer,. E. Claik, W. Cooper, J. McElwain, G. Ellison, B. Dijon, W. Preeman, J. Costal, A. Withers. New Years Handicap, 220 Yards.—F. Cooper, C. Majer, J. Donovan, 0. Webb, J. McElwain, E. Freeman, A. Chuck, E. Molvor, W. Corbett, G. Avery, G. Mitchell, F. N. Jones, A Withers, J. F. Cleary. New Year’s Handicap, 100 Yards.—G. Major, J. Donovan, C. Webb, F. Curcas, A. Bishop, G. Avery, G. Mitchell, E. Mclvor, W., Corbett, A. Chuck, E. Freeman. J. McElwain, A. Withers, J. F. Cleary. Walking Handicap.—A. E. F. Zesoh, W. Mitchell, J. McGrath, A.Fraser. New Year’s Handicap, Yards.—C. Webb, O. Major, J. Donovan, F. Copper, H. E. Barrington, G. Ellison, E. Freeman, E. JMolvor, G. Avery, G. Simpson, F. N. Jones, J. Moran, A. Withers, D. Judd. Bicycle Handicap.—E. Webb, B. Williams, G. South. Hurdle Handicap, 440 Yards.—C. Webb, F. Cooper, J. Donovan, E. Freeman, E. Mclvor, G. Avery, F. N. Jones, W. Hearn. New Year’s Handicap, 830 Yards.—H. E. Barrington, F. Cooper, C. Major, F. Harrison. W. Hearn, F. N. Jones, J, Moran, J. Simpson, E. Mclvor, G. Ellison, D. Judd. New Year’s Handicap, 1 Mile.—H. E. Barrington, F. Cooper, C. Webb, E. Webb, F. Harrison, A. Chuck, E. Mclvor, F. N. Jones, J, Moran, W. Hearn, D. Judd, A mob of about 350 store cattle left Masterton on Friday last for Wanganui, by way of the Forty-Mile Bush. The News Letter says they wore purchased by Mr. Whitworth Eussell, a grazier iff the Patea district, where' cattle of any description are becoming, scarce. It looks well for the Wairarapa that it sends away such large numbers of stores in addition to the fat stock that are continually going to Wellington. The average pried has not transpired ; but as feed is plentiful, and beef fetching a fair price, we may conclude that it was not very low, '

An extensive auction sale of town and country jiroperties was held at the offices of Messrs, Bethune and Hunter yesterday afternoon. Prior to the sale a large dumber of gentlemen sat down to-; an; excellent lunch, Mr. Laing being , the caterer. At 2 o'clock sharp an adjournment took place to the large room up stairs, which was numerously- attended. The first' property offered by_ Mr. Hunter was town acre No. 198, containing la. Or. 5p., having a frontage of 90ft. Sin. to Willis-street, and a frontage of 132 feet to Boulcott-street, together with the buildings erected thereon, recently occupied as the business premises of the Union Bank of Australia, and the private dwelling-house of the manager, with convenient outbildings, garden, &c. The conditions of sale having been read over, a few minutes elapsed, during which no bid was offered, until Mr. Hunter suggested that a start should be made by way of economising time. Mr. Andrew Young then bid £2500, upon which Mr. Donald offered another £SOO, making £3OOO, and Mr. O’Shea followed with a bid of £3500, after which the competition became lively, and the bidding soon reached £IOOO, that amount being offered by Mr. Smith, who confirmed a statement Mr. Hunter deemed it necessary to make, that he (Mr. Smith) was not bidding on behalf of the Union Bank. Mr. Jamieson bid £I2OO. Mr. Crawford then advanced to £I3OO, and there being no other bid, the property • was knocked down to him at that sum. The next lot offered was described on the printed list as all that piece of land containing 374 acres (more or less), being the section numbered 191 on the plan of the Upper Hutt district; and all that piece of land containing 250 acres (more or less), and being the sections numbered 201 and 205 on the plan of the Upper Hutt district. It was started at £3OO, and Mr. John Waterson became the purchaser at £350. A productive farm of 25 acres (more or less), situated in the Kinapouri district, and adjoining the properties of Captain James Taylor and Mr. Hook, was next put up. The first bid was £l5O, followed by one of £275, and another of £290, when Mr. Knigge offered £3OO, at which price he became the ■ purchaser. Mr. C. B. Izard’s property on the Porirua-road was withdrawn, also the property in Wainui-o-mata, the bidding not having reached the reserve price set upon it. Several other lots were withdrawn, including three valuable comer allotments in the city, and several sections in the Alfredton block, of opened and timbered land. Mr. Hunter intimated that he should hold another sale during the early part of next month. We are glad to see that on Christmas night a grand amateur concert of sacred music is to be given, the funds to be devoted to the Wellington Benevolent Institution. It is expected that about 200 performers will take part, and the orchestra, assisted by a sprinkling of professional talent (under the kind and able leadership of one of our distinguished amateurs), will be especially fine. They will" perform the March from Mendelssohn’s “Athalie,” and a grand selection. The choral and concerted pieces are from the works of the great masters, and will include Mozart’s “ Gloria in Excelcis,” Haydn’s “The Heavens are telling,” and the'celebrated “Hallelujah,” from the “ Messiah.” The leading performers will sing their best solos, and a string quartette party will render Haydn’s “Emperor’s Hymn,” with variations. The solos will include Mendelssohn’s “Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets,” and “Hear ye, Israel;” David singing before Saul;” Gounod’s “Nazareth;” and “Honor and Arms, &c.,” from “Samson.” Mr. Hunter has placed his capital room at disposal for practice, as well as the use, of his grand piano for the occasion, which will be presided over by Mr. Raymond, who has given his services. The prices of admission are within the reach of all;.and we feel sure that such a laudable object as the one for which the concert is given, combined with a grand performance, will cram the house and realise a large contribution to the funds of the institution. The practice takes place next Friday, at Mr. Hunter’s rooms. We must not forget to mention that the concert will be under the conductorship of Mr. J. A. Edwards, who has in the kindest manner given his valuable services. A meeting of the officers and non-com-missioned officers of the Wellington Volunteers was held last evening in the Post Office Hotel for the purpose of considering the important subject which has of late engaged the attention of the Volunteers here, namely, the want of a drillshed, that want having arisen in consequence of Mr, Pearce being unable to place his hall at their disposal any longer. Colonel Reader occupied the chair. The hon. secretary of the Wellington Artillery Volunteers having read the minutes of the last meeting held in regard to the same subject, Captain Pearee explained the action that'had been taken in terms of a resolution passed on a former occasion, and said that he had addressed a letter to Sir Donald McLean, as Defence Minister, asking him to name a time when he would receive a deputation appointed re the drillshed question. Unfortunately on the day he wrote thet letter Sir Donald McLean was taken ill, and was more or less , laid up during the remainder of the session. He (Captain Pearce) subsequently met both the Premier and the Colonial Secretary on the subject, with the object of ascertaining whether they would receive a deputation from the V\ ellington Volunteers, or take any action in the way of providing a shed. Both gentlemen expressed a desire in every way to assist the Volunteers here, but declined to do anything in the absence of Sir Donald McLean. Captain Pearce afterwards saw Sir Donald McLean (who was. then in improved health), but he said that as he was about to leave Wellington very soon, he could not see that the Volunteers would reap any advantage by his receiving a deputation from them. He furthermore stated that the Government had made up its mind not to go to any expense in furnishing a drillshed, but that they would be prepared to entertain the idea of defraying the rent of any suitable building, if such could be. found. ■ This, said Captain Pearce, in conclusion, was the way in which the matter stood at present.—SergeantMajor McCredie regretted that the Government could not see their way to do more, and referred to the kindness and liberality shown by Captain Pearce, who had provided the Volunteers with that which, as it seemed, they now asked the Government for in vain. Speaking of what had been done in the way of selecting a place in which they might meet, he stated that the only suitable place was the Market-house, and suggested that with certain alterations it might be made to answer the purpose of a drillshed.—Volunteer Mason proposed that a deputation be appointed to wait upon the Corporation and make the following proposal That the Market-house should be let to the Government, on behalf of the Wellington Volunteers, in its present state, and then to ascertain from the Corporation on what terms they would be disposed to let the house after having made certain necessary alterations. This was agreed to, and furthermore, the committee were authorized to wait upon the Government, providing their proposal was favorably entertained by the Corporation, and ascertain to what extent the Government would be prepared to go in the way of providing the means for paying the rent. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings.

There are two Richmonds in the field. A couple of hinds of schnapps are now advertised. Public notification in the colonies has long kept people aware of the existence of - what a facetious gentleman was pleased to term “ Acrobatic schnapps.” But it now seems that in America for many years “ Knickerbocker schnapps” has been a favorite beverage, warranted to cure all the ills that flesh is heir to. The benefits' arising from consumption of the latter are offered to New Zealanders by Messrs. N. JV Isaacs, sole wholesale agent for this colony, and Joseph Nathan and Co., agents for 'Wellington. .. The following gentlemen have been nominated as members of the County Council for the Carterton Riding, County of Wairarapa;—Messrs. Win. Booth, B. Boys, R. Fairbrother, Thomas Hooker, and E. S. Maunsel. Mr. Liater-Kaye, who was coming forward, withdrew in favor of Mr. B. Boys.

The collections at the anniversary services at St. John’s Presbyterian Church on Sunday amounted to £35 Bs.

We have been requested to state that acceptances for the Wellington Club must be sent in on or before Friday next. The distribution of prizes in connection with the English High School, Abel Smith-street, will take place to-day at half-past two o’clock. The writer of a letter signed “ Humanity” has neglected to forward his real name and address for the information and satisfaction of the editor. His communication is therefore excluded. It is said that there exists an intention of starting a second club in Wellington, and the promoters have some idea of utilising towards this end the property lately in the possession of the Union Bank, and purchased at Messrs. Bethune and Hunter’s sale yesterday. The Star Boating Club is going in heavily in adding to its stock of boats. A new double scull boat was received by the Arawata on Saturday, and two single scull practice boats are expected by the Ringarooma. Edwards, of Melbourne, is the builder of the three boats.

There was a fair attendance at the Theatre Royal last evening considering the unpleasant state of the weather, and the performance of “ David Garrick” was no less excellent than it was onSaturday night. This evening “ Camille” will be produced.

The civil case—Blundell Brothers v. Charles Moody—was again adjourned yesterday to the 15th of January next. The claim is for an amount due on account of certain advertisements inserted in the Evening Post, in connection with the Wellington Cooperative Butchers Society (Limited). At the meeting of creditors in re the estate of Arthur Harford yesterday there was an insufficient attendance, and the meeting was adjourned until to-day at eleven. In re' the estate of James Sently Stevenson, Mr. S. Carroll, the certificated ■ accountant in bankruptcy for the Wellington Judicial District, has been appointed trustee. It is satisfactory to find that English manufacturers mere than hold their own in America. We notice that at the Philadelphia Exhibition Msssrs. Crosse and Blackwall have secured fresh triumphs for their celebrated specialities, and have obtained no fewer than four awards. Besides the medal for pickles, sauces, &c., they have also received one for preserved fruits, one for malt vinegar, and another for preserved fish, soups, and meats. By the last Suez mail his Excellency the Governor received a letter from H.R.H. the Oommander-in-Chief, announcing in the most complimentary manner that Lieutenant Maling, A.D.0., had been promoted to captain, unattached. Under these circumstances, in case of an outbreak of war (which is by no means probable), Captain Maling will not be required to leave the official duties on his Excellency’s staff he has so excellent filled, in order to take active service.

The leading butchers ia the city have determined, in consequence of anticipated hot weather and the unusual length of the holidays, not to hold the usual Christmas display of prize meat. Messrs. J. Gear, Pollock and Young, and J. and H. Barber sign the advertisement giving notice of this intention, and they also notify that on and after to-day the price of mutton will be reduced as follows Hind quarters, 3d.; fore quarters, 2d.; loins and legs of mutton, -Id.; and necks and shoulders, 3d. This is good news for the public, as it equals the prices in the good old times.

A man named Thomas Keenan was taken before the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, charged with using obscene' language and damaging property in Orr's diningrooms, and was fined 40s. and ordered to pay the amount of damage done, or to go to prison for fourteen days. Jacob Miller was brought up on remand, charged with intoxication, using obscene language, and assaulting a constable. The case had been adiournod for the production of additional evidence for the prosecution, defendant having flatly contradicted the evidence of the constable who arrested him. The case was fully proved, and his Worship inflicted a fine of 50s. and costs, the defendant in case of default to be imprisoned for fourteen days. Prom J. H. Clough and Co.’s (Melbourne) Station, Produce Report, and Price List, we gather that at the various wool sales in Melbourne—of which there have been nineteen held during the month—the total quantity of wool brought forward for sale has been 30,231 bales, and 26,493 bales have changed hands under the hammer or by private contract; in addition to which, a considerable quantity of wool has been sold in Geelong. The bulk of the wool forward up to this time has been in grease, want of water preventing washing the sheep on many stations where this is generally done ; the competition, therefore, for such washed , fleece wools as have been brought forward has always been very spirited, and prices satisfactory, up to 2s. id. per lb. having been obtained for a notably superior clip from the westward, in very prime condition in every respect, branded “ Woodhouse." Greasy clips, when free from burr, in light and sound condition, have also been eagerly competed for, and for one lot sold at our warehouses, branded “ M. T. Y.,” we obtained the high figure of 13|d. per lb. During the mouth thirteen wool ships cleared from Melbourne with cargoes, and from Geelong five ships, making a total of eighteen ships, which carried away 132,353 bales of wool.

In the Besident Magistrate’s Court yesterday a civil case involving a nice point of law was heard. The parties to the action were Messrs. Muuro and Co. against a Mrs. L. 0. Burr, the claim being for £64 17s. 9d., value of goods ordered and received by the defendant from plaintiSs. Mr. Barton appeared in support of the claim, and Mr. Chapman for the defence. It appeared that the goods were ordered by Mrs. Burr, whose husband was in business at Boxton at the'time. According to Mr. Munro’s statement, Mrs. Burr informed him that her husband was bankrupt, but that she would be responsible. The goods were sent up, and received before the date on which Mrs. Burr applied for and obtained a protection order against her husband in the Besident Magistrate’s Court. Mr. Chapman contended that the wife at the time when the goods were ordered had no authority to order on her own account, and was not therefore personally responsible. Mr. Barton, on the other hand, while agreeing with the general principle laid down by his learned friend, submitted that there was an exceptional feature in the present case, and that it was the duty of Mrs. Burr to prove that she had not retained possession of the goods after becoming a protected married woman ; that is, after having obtained a protection order. The case occupied some time, and eventually Mr. Crawford entered a nonsuit, ordering each party to pay their own costs.

The stakes for the Waihenga Race Meeting were decided at a meeting of stewards held at the Waihenga Hotel on Wednesday evening last. They are as follows;—1. Hurdle Race, 20 sovs.; 2. Hack Hurdle Race, 10 so vs.; 3. Maiden Plate, 15 sovs.; 4. Waihenga Stakes, 25 sovs.; 5. Hurry Scurry, 12 sovs.; 6. Ladies’ Purse, 15 sovs.; 7- Hack Race, 8 sovs.; 8. Consolation Stakes, 10 sovs. Altogether, 115 sovs. are offered for the day’s meeting, an amount, as the News Letter remarks, which reflects credit on the promoters of the gathering, and which will secure a healthy competition for each event. A man named James Kay was found in the Galatea Hotel very early yesterday morning, under suspicious circumstances. The proprietor of the house hearing some unusual noises about the place, made search and found •Kay, who had taken off his shoes, opened a window, and had abstracted from the cellar three bottles of porter. He was arrested immediately, and given into custody. On being brought' before the Resident Magistrate yesterday morning, Kay seemed troubled in some way, for he shook and groaned a good deal, whether in dread of the probable result of his trial, or owing to excessive drinking, was not precisely apparent, bat the Bench gave him the benefit of the doubt, and remanded him till Friday next.

The'Wellington correspondent of the Otago Daily Times, writing his peculiar opinions, says;—“Of Ministers, we have at present only one in Wellington, and that is the Premier, and the universal complaint of all who have anything to do with the Government is that they can get nothing done. Abolition (Joes not Beein to have made much difference in the business at the Provincial Buildings, where Mr. Bunny carries on affairs as usual, except that it is now much more difficult to get money, and those who have claims are loud in their complaints, when in place of getting a cheque, they are told that the General Government has not yet approved of the provincial estimates. Everyone Wonders what will happen after the 31st December, when everything will be left to the General' Government. The universal opinion seems to be that matters will very soon get into a nice mess, and that they are now rapidly, drifting that way. Major Atkinson is too timid and narrow-minded to lead a Government. He would make a much better chief clerk than Premier, and now he devotes himself with unceasing energy to mere clerical and routine work, putting off everything else from day to day.” Speaking of provincialism in Otago, the Southland Times says;—Every Otago man knows that Mr. Robert Stout, M.H.R., was a shining light at the recent farcical “ Convention ” at Dunedin, and maintained that the province of Otago was not abolished. ' Mr. Stout, however, is not going to be made a martyr of for his political opinions. Although de jure, according to his own account, still Provincial Solicitor of Otago, de facto he is quite willing to receive fees and to act on the other side. Until lately, as Provincial Solicitor, he acted as the legal adviser of the Invercargill Waste Lands Board, but it has transpired that he has been engaged on the other side by Mr. P. K. McCaughan, just in the same way ais any other common non-official solicitor might be, for a vulgar fee, and is about to act against his former constitents. Indeed, if we are. rightly informed, he is about to do so after having been previously consulted in that very case before, by the people he is now to sue. We fear that Mr. Stout is not sound in the Provincial faith, and is going to the bad. Indeed the Convention is going there also apparently. Mr. Donald Reid is notoriously sitting on a rail, Mr. Stout has turned his back upon himself, and tacitly acknowledges that he is not an Otago Provincial Solicitor any more, and the Otago Guardian, the organ of the Dunedin-rabble, advises people to go in for carrying out the Counties Act. Poor Mr. Maoaudrew will soon be left like “ the last rose of summer,” Sec., and will be obliged to do the “date obolum Selisario” business, unless his friend Mr. Proudfoot is kind enough, for numerous benefits received, to take him into partnership in the contract trade.