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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4965, 20 February 1877, Page 2

We understand that the Hon. Mr. Bowen will accompany the Governor during his triji toHbkitika, instead of the Hon. Major Atkin - son, as had beenarranged. The Hinemoa did not leave last evening in consequence of the rough weather,but will probably go out to-day) Messrs. George Hunter, G. Crawford, and Mace waited upon his Worship the Mayor yesterday in reference to the extension of the water supply in the direction of streets where at present it is wanting. Mr. Hunter stated that the matter had been brought immediately under notice in consequence of the two late fires, namely, in Griffiths’ store, and that which occurred on Sunday night on the beach. He mentioned that Messrs. Crawford, Mace, Griffiths, and himself were largely interested in property at • the head of the bay, and had been paying water rates for the last seven years. They thought it would not be asking too much therefore that the water should be carried down the street in fronts of Mr. Crawford’s and Mr) Mace’s property, as in case of another fire breaking .out in that locality delay in getting the water on would be avoided. The other night the water had to be obtained from one main in Manners-street and another opposite the Bethel. He pointed out that whilst they (the members of the de-' putation) would be benefited by the water being laid bn in the locality, the town generally would share in the benefit, as in the, event of a fire occurring there would be a better chance of preventing its spread by having a good supply of water at hand. Messrs.: Mace and Crawford endorsed what Mr. Hunter, had said. The Mayor replied by saying that the Corporation naturally felt deeply interested in any thing of this kind, and gave his assurance that every inquiry should be made and all precautions taken as far as possible to prevent the destruction of property by fire. He remarked thatsuchcasesasthe present being broughtunder notice made apparent existing wants ; thus he was not aware until quite recently that there was not an ample supply of water along the wharf, and he might say the same of the particular locality in respect of which the deputation waited on him. He gave the deputation to understand that their representations would meet with early attention. There can be no doubt that the request made as to the extension of the water supply in the direction indicated is one deserving of great consideration, as will be well understood by those who were present at the fire on Sunday night. It was generally considered then a matter of great fortune that the fire did not spread to adjoining buildings and work terrible destruction, which would probably have been the result had there been a strong wind blowing at the time, for there are a number of houses about the locality, extending to Manners-street on the one hand and Willis-atreet on the other.

A meeting of the Wellington Jockey Club was held last evening at the Empire Hotel, at which there were present—Messrs. George Hunter fin the chair)',- JvPaul, J. McDowell, W. Bromley, J. ,R. George, and A. Young, Dr. Diver, and the secretary. Various accounts, amounting in all to about £450, were passed and ordered to be paid. The tenure of the Hutt racecourse was next considered. It may be stated that the racecourse forms a reserve which was granted under an old provincial enactment for recreation purposes, and which was vested in a Board of Trustees, no person being eligible to occupy the position of trustee unless he were an elector for the district of the Hutt. The existing Board retires next month, and the question arises in whom the reserve is how to vest. The Jockey Club think that as they have the largest interest in the reserve, it should be vested in them, and it was decided to move in the matter. The stewards do not propose to exercise any greater authority over the land than they have done previously, and fully to preserve the interests of the Hutt people. A long discussion then took place, upon, a proposition .to construct a branch line of railway to the course. It was pointed out that to the river near the racecourse was a perfectly level country, that all the work necessary to the construction of a line was the laying of rails, and that if the Government would .construct the line so far the stewards might throw a bridge across the river; Calculations were made, showing-that the cost of the line would be small, and that the undertaking would soon prove a financial success. A committee was appointed to wait upon s the Government in reference to the matter,

A man named George Ashdown, a halfcaste, has been arrested at Masterton for housebreaking. The Presbytery of Wellington will meet in St. John’s Church, Willis-street, to-morrow morning at 11. In the evening a public missionary meeting will be Held. The Mirror of England drew a good attendance at the Odd Fellows’ Hall last evening, and the spectators appeared to be highly pleased with the entertainment, as indeed they could not’Well, fail to be. We are requested to state that the Rangatira will sail on Wednesday, 21st inst., at 10 a.m., instead of 4 p.m. as previously advertised, in order to allow passengers to be in time for the Napier races. We have been requested by Superintendent Whiteford, of the Wellington Volunteer Fire Brigade, to acknowledge with thanks a letter received from Messrs. Mace and Arkell, enclosing a cheque for £5 as a slight recognition of services rendered at the late fire in Custom House-street.

Captain Braithwaite, of the mission schooner Dayspring, wishes to express thanks on behalf of his crew and himself for the sum of £2, which they received from Captain Grant, of the Himalaya, through the agents, Messrs. Levin and Co., in recognition of the assistance which they rendered in connection with the late fire on board that vessel. The Resident Magistrate’s Court business yesterday was as follows :— One drunkard was punished in the usual manner; Sarah James was remanded for a week on a charge of vagrancy; Charles Scott, charged on remand with .stealing from a dwelling, was remanded till Thursday; two men, named John Kenna and William Watson, were each fined 40s. for fighting in the public .streets. The alternative allowed was seven days’ imprisonment, and which the men accepted in preference to paying the fine. An inquest was held at Mr. Valentine’s hotel, Tory-street, yesterday, before . Dr. Johnston, coroner, and a jury, on the body of Emma Blews, the little girl who was drowned on Saturday by falling down a well. As Dr. Johnston stated to the jury, there could be little doubt as to the cause of death, it being evidently an accidental occurrence. Dr. W. T. H. Munro, the mother, and another witness were examined. It appeared that the well had not for some time been used for household purposes, and had been covered by some scantling and a ladder, but there seems to have been an open space covered by blades of grass, which was hidden, and the child must have fallen through. When picked out of the water the body was cold, and all attempts at resuscitation failed. The jury returned an open verdict. Captain Moss, of the Central Fire Brigade, yesterday received the following letters, which he has handed to us for publication. The letters speak for themselves, and show that the efforts of our brigades are not altogether unappreciated; —“Wellington, February 19, 1877. —Captain Moss, Central Volunteer Fire Brigade, Wellington.—Dear Sir, —We have been requested by Captain Grant, of the ship Himalaya, to express his thanks for the valuable assistance rendered by the brigade, and beg your acceptance of the enclosed cheque for £5, as a small contribution to the funds of the,brigade.—We. remain, &c., Levin and Co.”—Wellington, February 19, 1877. Dear: Sir,—We beg to thank you very much for the exertions of the brigade under your command at the fire last night; and as a slight mark of recognition for your valuable services beg to -enclose herewith our cheque for £5. — We are, &c., Mace & Arkell.—To Captain Moss, Central Fire Brigade, Wellington.”

Mr, J. L. Hall.made his appearance;at the Theatre Royal last night,' as advertised, in the character of Rip Yam Winkle/ This is one of. Mr. Hall’s best impersonations, and it should be needless therefore to tell those who take the trouble to. read the theatrical “notices” that his acting was exceedingly good, and that indeed the part has never be-; fore been played on the Wellington stage in; such genuine style,, except when Mr. Hall once before played it in the Theatre Royal; He was exceedingly humorous, as he always: is, whilst he gave the pathos of the part full, prominence. He was well supported by the: lady members of the company and’Messrs.; Metcalf, Heaford, and others. The entertain- ! ment was exceedingly well received. . Taking advantage of the presence of two! members of the family from Wanganui, ’the Dixon family met last evening and decided to play the family cricket match to-day, on the cricket ground. Wickets will be pitched at 1 o’clock. The following are the names of some of the players:—Dixon—Edward, George (2), Joe, Sam, William, Ernest, Charlie, Bob, Frank, and John; Godber—Charlie, Jim, and George ; Lambert, W. ; Quee, Robert ; Tustin—Joe and Willie ; Fuller—William and Ernest; Meek, Walter; : Tiller, George; Waters, S. A cricket match of this description is rare enough, and we can only hope that the game to-day may be’pleasant, and that the same players may have many such reunions.

The Newcastle Chronicle of February 10 has the following “ Mr. James Swinburne, who left here some time ago to ; inspect and report upon a coalmine in New Zealand, returned on Thursday morning; and he speaks in most favorable terms of the prospects of 'the mine, and of the quality of the coal. The seam is of good thickness, and there is a good market for the coal; and a notable feature in the matter is that the Government are willing to facilitate the opening of the mine by feathering some assistance. Mr. Swinburne has come back for the purpose of procuring some, working appliances, and will return in the course of a few days.”