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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4987, 17 March 1877, Page 2

1 Recent private advices from Australia state that Adelaide will not export this year more than 70,000 tons of breadstuffs, as against 200,000 tons last year ; and that Sydney will this year be a large importer of grain, consequent on the severe droughts. ■ Notice of the election of a new City Councillor, in the room of Mr. P. Moeller, is gi en by the Returning Officer, who notifies that nomination day is Monday, 26tb instant, and polling day Friday, 6th April. The elect l on of a Councillor, to fill the place of Councillor Dransfield, is announced to take place on the 9th April, nomination day being fixed for 28th March. The number of passengers who arrived at the port of Wellington by sea during the past seven days numbered 324 j of these 169 came from ports in the North Island, 130 from the South, and 25 from Australia. ; There were 8 sailing vessels of 448 tons register, and 18 steamers of 5518; tons, entered at the port'of Wellington during the past seven days. During the same period 13 sailing vessels of 242 tons register, 'and 16 steamers of a carrying capacity of 3903 tons, cleared outwards. I The Reformer Newspaper (the projected new temperance journal) Company is exceedingly fortunate in issuing its shares. We are informed that upto . last evening 473 shares out of the 600 had applied for, the leading merchants of the city taking a large number. The paper, it is expected, will be issued on the 30th inst.

The fees for private letter boxes have, been fixed at £2 per annum. Major Paul has been appointed a Visiting Justice of the Wellington Gaol. Mr. Edward Scott has been appointed sublieutenant of the Wellington Artillery. - The twenty-eighth annual meeting of the Australasian Mutual Provident Society is called for the 19th April, at Sydney. Various notices in connection with the Karori-Makara District are given in another column. We call attention to the fact that quarter day in connection with the insurance companies occurs on this day week. The balance-sheet of the assets and liabilities of the provincial district of Taranaki shows that the amount ’to the debit of the province at the end of 1876 was upwards of £45,000. During the month of February 12,854 acres of land were sold in Wellington provincial district, deposits to the amount of £6576 being paid upon the same. The annual meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce is called for Wednesday next at 8 p.m. at the chamber, Lambtouquay. Much, needed painting to the exterior of the Parliamentary buildings is about to be done, and the Colonial Architect calls for tenders for the work. Divers were employed in taking up some of the coal from the sunken hulk Eli Whitney yesterday ; but as their dress was found to leak the work had to be abandoned. Only a small quantity of the coal has yet been raised. The return cricket match will be played to-day in Mrs. Leitch’s paddock, Polhill Gully, between the employes of the firms of Messrs. Turnbull and Co. and Nathan and Co; Play to commence sharp at 2 o’clock. _ The estates of Daniel MoCallum and Joseph Marshall, both of Featherston, have been placed in the hands of the Public Trustee. These men were killed by the falling of the tunnel. The executive officer of the provincial district of Wellington has appointed George Hobbs, of Porirua-road Farm, to be a ranger, under the Protection of Animals Act, to see that the provisions of the Act are complied with and to lay informations against offenders. The annual soiree in connection with St. Andrew’s Church will be held on Tuesday evening at the Odd Fellows’ Hall. After tea a public meeting will be held, at which addresses by ministers and friends will be delivered. It is estimated that in Wellington during February 7‘4ooin. in rain fell. In Hokitika during the same period 15‘850in. fell; while at Christchurch the fall was but 3‘99oin. February was bad enough in Wellington ; what must it have been in Hokitika ?

The Chicago Minstrels were again well attended last evening, when they went through »n excellent programme in good style, a number of new songs being introduced, which were greeted with hearty applause. Special attention is drawn to,the programme for this evening, when, as is announced, the troupe will be assisted by the Wellington Amateur Christys. Captain Campbell-Walker will this evening deliver a lecture at the Museum on “The Climatic and Financial Aspect of Forest Conservancy as applicable to New Zealand.” His Excellency the Governor has promised to take the chair, and no doubt a lecture on such a subject, delivered by a gentleman whose opinions on this matter are looked forward to with interest, will be well attended. A billiard tournament for a handsome prize, in the shape of a really valuable meerschaum pipe, was concluded at the Union Hotel, Willis-street, last evening. The tournament, which extended over a fortnight,. was unique in character, and unquestionably profitable to the gentleman who rents the billiard table, Mr. Adams. The contest was of this nature : There were five object balls on the table, and the players were to see how many points they could make in one break, one being allowed for a cannon and one fora “pocket a losing hazard putting the player out. A large number of persons who could play the game tolerably well entered into the contest, and an equally large' number who could not ; play at all, but- whose ambition compensated for lack. of science,- “ made an effort,"- and 1 succeeded of course to about the same extent ’ as the Mrs. Dombie of Dickens’ creation. The conclusion of the ■ affair was celebrated, last evening, when refreshments were provided on a liberal scale, and it is needless to say received ample justice. It was stated by the Hon. Mr. Young at the Chamber of Commerce meeting the other day that the Canadian Government had agreed to pay the cost of sending exhibits to the New South Wales Agricultural Exhibition. It seems that the Agricultural Society has not been niggardly in the matter, for we observe by a report of a recent meeting that 'it was stated by a member that “the society was committed to an expenditure of £ISOO to provide for exhibits coming from America—-labor-savingimplements adapted to a new country.” Doubtless this is a reference to the two shiploads of exhibits referred to by Mr. Young. We have had the Christchurch papers’ opinions on the city election paraded forth, and we may now quote what a Nelson paper says of Mr. Travers, who, it may be remembered, once represented a Nelson constituency. The Nelson Times says “ Long before Mr. Pearce resigned these gentlemen had published addresses, and Mr. Travers, with true lawyerlike sagacity, has endeavored to silence hostile criticism during his candidature by commencing an action for libel against the Editor of the New Zealand Times. This master-stroke of policy, it may. be assumed, will scarcely promote the candidate’s claims to the suffrages of a people who boast of the liberty of the Press as one of the most, valuable privileges they _ enjoy, nor does the action display any superlative wisdom on the part of the actor, inasmuch that it proclaims his disinclination to. submit his political reputation to fair and unbiassed comment. . Mr. Hutchison has but a short political history; possibly, if his opponent’s was equally brief his chances of electisn would be thereby improved. ... . As' a certain amount of concern must be felt throughout the colony at any change that takes plate in the personnel of the ruling body, this election—the only ripple, upon the political sea at present—will bo watched with interest, especially as it involves a contest between a comparatively-untried man and one who has been tried, and' proved; able but altogether unreliable in the political arena.”At the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday (before J. C. Crawford, Esq., R. M.) Joseph Thompson was charged with damaging property belonging to Joseph Marten, of Mungafoa. Prisoner, who pleaded not guilty, was defended by Mr. Allan. . The case was rather amusing, the details, as explained by Mrs. Marten, causing all in court, from the magistrate to the spectators, to laugh occasionally. The property damaged was a saucepan and a window. According to the evidence for, the prosecution defendanthad come to the house one day (he had formerly been engaged there as cook) and asked for some money which he alleged to be owing to him. He was refused, and he then became very insolent, so much so that the lady of the house found it’ necessary to take down a gun and beat him with it till he went out of the house, which being accomplished she locked the doors, and it was then that defendant - damaged the kitchen furniture. The evidence of the defendant was directly contrary to that given by Mrs. Marten, and Mr. Crawford dismissed the case, remarking that he could not consider the case proved, as the testimony of Mrs. Marten was unsupported. That lady seemed to have a curious way of paying off her servants by thrashing them with guns. He recommended Mr, Marten to get rid of the gun, as guns sometimes went'off “whether loaded or not,” and elderly females were not the persons to handle them. There was only one other case on the criminal sheet. H. M. McCaul was charged with being the owner of an unregistered dog. The case was dismissed, on the ground that the dog was registered on the day upon which the summons wasjtaken out.

Lately there have been a great many bush fires in ' the country districts in the immediate vicinity of Wellington ; but little damage has been done. Mr. Taylor’s bush at Tawa Flat haa been on fire during the past two or three days, but we are glad to say that nothing of any particular value has been destroyed. Harvesting operations are reported to be proceeding satisfactorily. ' Those hon. members from other parts of the colony who last session complained of the im-

purities of the .atmosphere .of the Parliamentary buildings, will be glad to learn that a number of workmen are now engaged in repairing drains and providing for the free course of water through them. Great things are expected to result from the removal of a cause which last year we believe tended not a little to disturb digestion, and consequently to ruffle temper.

The long talked, of and vigorously fought battle between mine host of the Occidental and the proprietor of the newly erected Theatre Boyal Hotel came to an end yesterday, and resulted in a victory for the latter. A. good many weapons were used—-there was law, and abuse, and bounce ; but all failed, and the license was granted. There was talk of the Supreme Court being applied to for a writ of prohibition against the Bench, but Mr. Barton did not put in appearance! when bis motion was called on, so it was struck out. After the license was granted, Mr. Barton took steps te apply to the Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari, or something of the sort; but as usual the fates were against him, for some mistake arose whereby their Honors the Judges lefttheprecinctsof the Court House without Mr. Barton making his application. On whom the blame lies we don’t profess to know,but It seems Mr. Barton was waiting to make his application before their Honors in Chambers—the banco sitting having closed while the discussion in the Licensing Court was proceeding—and that their Honors left their Chambers for the day while he was so waiting. Mr. Barton, says the officers of the Court knew he was waiting to make the application as soon an the Judges should be disengaged, arid should have let him know; while on the other hand, the officers of the Court say Mr. Byjidh Trad not filed his application to be. when the Judges left; and that further, if he had, he knew the ordinary coarse was for a barrister wishing an audience to enter the Judges* Chambers while business was being transacted, and wait his turn to make any application he desired.

The parsonage now being erected by the vestry of St. Mark’s will shortly be completed. It is built on ground adjoining the church. The building will contain a drawingrroom, diningroom, three bedrooms, study, kitchen, pantry,, scullery, bath-room, linen closets, .front hall, and back passage, with: washhouse and. coalhouse in the outbuildings. All the rooms will be plastered throughout. Externally the building fronts Sussex-square ; a verandah rung along the front of the buildings, : The diningroom faces the harbor, and is lighted by a commodious bay window. The rooms are all lofty and well lit, and the building when completes will be very comfortable. Mr. 0. Taylor is the contractor for the building, the plans.having been drawn by- Mr. S. Brown. - The Supreme Court sat in banco. yesterday, when arguments were heard on a motion ia the case Schultze v. the Mayor and Corporation of the city of Wellington.. , This waq an appeal against the taxation of. costs-by Mr; - , Registrar Allan; but -as will be , seen by our report the Court declined to, grant, .even a. rule nisi for the production of cause why the taxation should not be reviewed.- Several other matters were disposed of, and the Court adjourned. ,

On Monday evening, the T9th instant, a series; of contests will be commenced at the clubroom, Mr. Budge’s, Willis;street, Mr. Benbow a, number of “games ' simultaneously with the .other .members .of ._the.club,. Consultation .will be permitted - if, desired, though a limit of ten minutes will be fixed for a move; play to commence at eight o'clock sharp. Chess-players from other parts of the colony are invited to be present to witness thetournament. Notes will be taken" of important. situations ‘or interesting features 'game.- . - ■ ; - , The Star Hotel was formally opened yesterday, the occasion being celebrated by a sumptuous banquet, to which a large number of the i proprietor’s friends were invited. About 80 ■ gentlemen wese present, Mr. O’Shea occupying the chair. The usual loyal toasts having been honored; the chairman proposed the health of : the popular host, Mr. Joseph Ames, who responded in suitable terms. Other toasts appropriate to the occasion were proposed- and responded to, among them being the health of Mr. Charles Moody, the owner of the building. The Star Hotel -is one of the finest in the city of Wellington, possessing, every ac,commodation for boarders and all the requirements of a first-class hotel. '. ; ■ : 'i' : 'i ' . The clean certificates of W. H. Saunders, of ■ Ashgrove, Ohariu, has been cancelled by 'the Inspector of Sheep for the Wellington- District. ■ The Inspector of Sheep for the East Coast District has granted clean certificates for the.fallowing flocks Rev. J. C. Andrew-, lea, Sugar Loaf flock, about 4200; dated 19 thFebruary, 1877. J. Y. Smith, Mataikona River flock, about 9000 ; dated 21st February,. 1877. - Wether flock, about 5000 ; dated 22nd February, 1877. : Dr. M. S. Grace, Oahunga, Sand Hills flock, about 3200 ; dated 21st February, 1877. Mataikona flock, ’ about 6000; ‘dated 22nd February, , 1877-' John Moore, " Waikafaka; second 1 ewe flock, about 600; 'dated 2nd March, 1877. Edwin" Meredith; * Riveradale, Leicester flock, about 200 ; dated 3rd March, 1877.

' A District Court has been constituted for the district of Wanganui, having jurisdiction in the counties of Wanganui, Manawatu, hnd. Rangitikei, haying - cognisance of all felonies and indictable ; offences specified ia the 4th section of the/District Coofta Act, 1870, and with extended civil jurisdiction. Judge Kenny has" been , apr., pointed Judge of the district ; S. T. Fitzherbert, Esq., Crown Prosecutor; “ Garland Wbon, E«q.. Clerk of the Court ; and. its sittings ‘axe fixed to take place at Wanganui, on the first Wednesday of March, June,. and November in each year. 1 " —, . ... This week's Gazette contains—bringing rules > and articles made under Imperial Mutiny Act into force in New Zealand; appointment of ■ Reginald Bayley, tccbßTf mem- ’ her of the Board of Trustees for-Public Recreation of Taranaki, in the room of Robert Joseph - Collins/Esq.;- suspension ~ of. Certain mining regulations bn a portion oLthe Otago goldfields; landset apart in Otago foragricultural ‘ leases ; depasturing regulations for the -Mount Benger depasturing district, sc.; reconstituting District Court of Taranaki,-and-extending criminal' and civil jurisdictions of' District Court of Taranaki; constitution of. District Court of'Wanganui; statement of'accounts bf the provincial district of. Taranaki for the quarter ended 31st December, 1876 ; &o. An eccentric individual, apparently possessed of an affection for alcohol, and suffering “ under the influence”, to a considerable extent, went down the wharf yesterday and frightened a few persons by displaying a wish to make an end to his existence. —He first disposed of his.. coat, which he. threw ; in the water, and then cast from him a necktie, and collar, afterwards disposing of his waistcoat,; aud was making a fine attempt to cast himself upon the waters, when he made the acquaintance of a policeman, and was taken to the station, where he was accommodated with shelter. . A wonderful little machine has been brought by Mr. S. Lynch from the United States of America (the Sidney Morning Herald says) for the use of the- Government Printing office ’ at Sydney. It is a machine which f ;in the States has placed surprising facilities ; iu the way of newspaper publishers who have to address and despatch, as ' rapidly as possible, a large number of papers to subscribers, and if adopted here will doubtless'have ft similar effect. The machine is very light, and can be held on the left arm, which also keeps it in place, while the left hand can at . the same time easily work it. In the first place, the names of subscribers to a newspaper have to be set up in a chase by the compositor, and one name can be set up quite close to another..

The long strip with tho subscribers names which may amount either _to hundreds or thousands are set on a small reel, which is set ■in the “mailer.” The .operator then ; gets before him as large a pile as may be of tiedup newspapers, which need not have an envelope. He then works the machine with his left-hand and arm, and the practised hand.can do so with very great rapidity. The reel is l -made to revolve, and the strip of names runs .'out towards the' end of the little machine, passing eh route over a wide tape which gums •r pastes the strip or slip ; the eye is kept on the names as -they reach the end, where each name is cut off very deftly and quite close, -*nd close to the cutter, a little iron .block, ■ worked with a spring, at opco takes the little mite of paper with the, subscriber a name, and, <the operator’s right hand at the proper moment and very rapidly brings the newspaper .underneath the little iron block, which at once fixes and presses down' the small gummed label ■ tho paper. “One'bpeiatofwith practice with; the “ mailer ” has been able to cut labels, paste them on, and so address over 7000 hews- - papers in an hour, while another has addressed 6500 in an hour. The ’sa zing of paper and time by such a simple process is : very remarkable. ‘ The Nelson Daily .Times says:—The Sphinxlike problem, “For. whose benefit was the Karamea settlement founded?” seems upon the verge of being solved. The Wallace, on .Wednesday left Nelson for that West Coast 'Arcadia with 113 packages of general mer'chandise, ten tons of flour, one cowj-.and one horse. The passengers upon this occasion were , Mr. and Mrs. O’Conor, and Mr. O’Conor’s brother. The same vessel upon her return, -voyage brought seven families of the original -settlers to Nelson.