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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4923, 3 January 1877, Page 2

The English mail which arrived here yesterday by the s.s. Taupo comprised 3345 letters, 9800 newspapers, and 640 books. The City of New York, with the colonial mails of November, reached San Francisco on the 12th December, two days in advance of contract date.

We regret to state that the deadly diphtheria epidemic has in no way abated. Mr. Duff, of Lambton-quay, has lost two more children, making five deaths in the family within the past few days. Every sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs, Duff in their sad bereavement. The disease is raging in other families in town. In connection with this we may state that Mr. W. James, of the Quay, has requested us to contradict a rumor that members of his family are suffering from the diphtheria. An assault of a serious nature took place on Monday night in a house in Tinakori-road where a little festive gathering had been celebrating the holiday time. The house is kept by a man named Andersen, a foreigner, and one of the guests of the same name had a difference with a member of the company, the result being that he used a knife rather freely on the head and face of that member. Probably particulars of the affair will appear hereafter.

An accident occurred in Willis-street on Monday, which terminated fatally. A boy named J. W. Hockley, about seventeen years of age, was riding past Mr. Pound’s shop, when the girth-strap of the saddle suddenly gave way, and be fell to the ground. He was taken into Mr. Pound’s shop insensible, and did not recover afterwards, although everything necessary was done, medieal assistance being obtained. The poor fellow died on Monday night. An inquest will, we understand, be held to-day. A movement is on foot to get up another costume cricket match in aid of the All England Eleven expenses fund, and an advertisement in another column convenes a meeting of persons interested. We understand the Theatre company are willing to lend assistance, and if the match should be arranged will play in the costumes used in the pantomime. The. novelty and abrurdity of these dresses would prove a great draw in the cricket field, and it is to be hoped such interest in the matter will be evinced as to lead to the project being carried into effect.

A meeting in connection with the forthcoming Anniversary Regatta was held at the Pier Hotel last evening, Captain Mclntyre in the chair. It was resolved that last year’s subscription list should be handed to Mr. Levy, with authority to canvass for assistance. A sailing committee formed of Captains Halliday, W. B. Williams, Mclntyre, Rose, E. Williams (of Avalanche), Greeves, Sims, and Kennedy, and a wharf committee consisting of Messrs. Kent and Moss, were appointed ; the two committees, together with Messrs. Leary and Ellaby, and two representatives from each rowing club, to form a working committee to arrange programme, &c. A proposal was received from Messrs. Bates and Howard, offering on behalf of the management of the Theatre Royal to give one-half the gross proceeds of a special performance in aid of the regatta funds, conditionally that the amount received by the committee should be offered as the Theatre Royal prize. The committee very thankfully accepted the liberal offer, but determined to communicate with Messrs. Bates and Howard, asking that in the event of the sum handed over exceeding a certain amount the excess might be placed in the general fund. Mr. Gair again declining to accept the office of secretary, Mr. Ellaby was induced to take the work in hand.

An alarm of fire was raised yesterday morning about 1 o’clock. The Central and Wellington and Armed Constabulary brigades turned out very promptly, and rushed off to where they saw signs pf a fire—the northern side of Thorndon, near the reclamation works. It turned out the alarm was groundless, the cause being some gorse which had taken fire. In the case of the Armed Constabulary the false alarm was particularly annoying, inasmuch as they had the trouble of dragging their appliances the whole way [from the barracks, a distance of between two and three miles.

The at the railway bridge (says the Ranyitikci Advocate) have latterly been pushed forward- very vigorously, and we understand that the bridge will be completed within the next six weeks or two months. The embankment is also rapidly ' approaching completion, the fascine work being all but finished. The contractors have been exceptionally fortunate since the commencement of the works. They had no sooner driven the piles.on the Manawatu.side on dry ground, than the river returned to its former bed, leaving them dry ground for driving the remaining piles on the Bangitikei side. Although there have been several small freshets, the earthwork connecting the bridge with the embankment has received little or no damage. Had there been one of the heavy freshes usual at this season of the year, the amount of damage would have been something considerable.

The Auckland Board of Education calls for applications for the vacant post of governess to the girls’ training and high school.

Tenders are called for in this issue for the erection of the Princess Theatre and Concert Hall, Torj-street. It has been agreed that the trial of the cause Toxward v. Hastwell shall be postponed from Monday next to Tuesday week. In consequence of the absence from town of Mr. J. A. Edwards, the conductor, the Choral Society will not commence practice this week. Friday evening has been appointed settling night in connection with the Caledonian Society’s New Year’s Day sports. Stakes will be paid over at the New Zealander Hotel. The Dolly Varden crew leave for Nelson to-day in the Hawea, and will go in for a course of severe training under the coaching of the Wellington Club captain. A supposed pauper-patient in the Maryborough Hospital, Victoria, recently died, when it was discovered he had left over £IOOO worth of property. The pantomime was again well patronised last evening, the dress-circle, stalls, and pit being well attended. The performance was vex-y successful, each member of the company doing their best, and playing with great spirit and good humor.

Two civil oases were on the civil list for healing at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yestexday. They were judgment summonses. One was withdrawn, and in the other case defendant was ordered to pay the amount for which judgment had been given within a fortnight, with costs. On New Year’s morning (vex-y early) a small ci’owd was standing at the corner of the Pier Hotel, when suddenly a rocket stick came down beside them, scattering roun 1 the sparks from the stick considerably. They had a vei’y lucky escape, for had the stick hit any one of them it is probable that he would have suffered inconvenience therefrom.

We have received by the mail from the publishers a number of trade and commercial circulars and pamphlets. Amongst the lastnamed is one entitled “ How to learn the Morse Alphabet in half-an-hour,’' a very useful publication for persons commencing the study of the Morse telegraph. The children attending the Wesleyan Sunday schools were on Monday indulged with their annual treat, which took place in a paddock off Hopper-street. The usual games were enjoyed by the children during the afternoon, followed by a plentiful distribution of tea, cake, and similar niceties provided on such occasions.

A man named O’Connor, who was mentioned in yesterday’s issue as having given Constable Smart some trouble on Saturday night, appeared at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday in answer to a charge of having been drunk and disorderly. A fine of 20s. and costs was imposed. There were a good many cases of drunkenness at the Court yesterday. Mr. Gibbs, M.H.R. for Collingwood, Nelson, in addressing his constituents, said he feared the General Government would not be able to continue the subsidies promised to the counties; that if additional taxation were required he should be in favor of an income and property tax; that he was in favor of the land fund being made colonial revenue. The usual vote of confidence was carried.

A meeting of the committee of the Wellington Benevolent Institution was held yesterday. Present—Archdeacon Stock (elected chairman), Rev. W. H. West, Messrs. D. Lewis, J. G. Holdsworth, and the s ecretary. The following .subscriptions were received : Bank of New Zealand, £5 55.; Mr. Kreeft, £1 Is.; Mr. Barber, £1 Is.; R. N. 10s.; Messrs. Beck and Tonks, 10s.; Mr. Tustin, 10s.; Miss Cochrane, 10s.; Mrs. Millner, 65.; Rev. W. H. West, 10s. 6d. Several cases were considered and relieved.

We (New Zealand Herald) understand that the Waste Lands Board have not yet received any reply to their communications to Mr. Broomhall and Mr. Vesey Stewart in reference to the applications made by these gentlemen for 10,000 and 45,000 acres of land respectively, although Sufficient time has elapsed for the receipt of answers. From Mr. Pritchard—another applicant for land—the Board has received a reply stating that he would communicate the Board’s terms to the gentlemen in England who had sent him out to select land for a special settlement. t Dr. Buller, who is now in Napier, we (Telegraph) learn, has no intention of settling here with the object of practising his profession f barrister. Dr. Buller’s visit is due to the fact that he has been engaged by the Govern ment to defend the libel action commenced by the Hon. H. R. Russell against the late printer and editor of the Waka Maori, Messrs. G. Didsbury and J. Grindell. The defence to be set up will be that of justification, and Dr. Buller, we understand, is leaving no stone unturned to acquire the necessary evidence. This libel action will have ■ special interest to Hawke’s Bay readers. All Mr. Russell’s Maori transactions, we may be sure, will be dragged to the light of day on the part of the defence, while, on the other side, plenty of subjects for conversation will be provided in the interesting matters that will be disclosed connected with land dealings with natives by what is termed “ the Hawke’s Bay Land Ring.”