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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4999, 2 April 1877, Page 2

Yesterday morning a three-masted steamer, undersell, but apparently steaming occasionally, was seen off the Bay of Islands. She was ton far distant, however, for those on the look-out to distinguish which particular steamer she» was. It is supposed that it may have been the San Francisco mail steamer City of Sydney. A subsequent telegram to that giving the above news was received by the postal authorities in, Wellington, which seems to leave no doubt as to the steamer sighted from the Bay of Islands being'the mail steamer,. The telegram stated that negotiations were being, made with the agents of the s.s. Wanaka for that vessel to go out end meet the City of Sydney, and that it was most probable the, mail steamer would be in Auckland, harbor by nine or ten o’clock this morning. ; The Circuit Sittings of the Supreme Court, which under ordinary circumstances 1 would have commenced this morning; have been postponed, owing to the holidays, till Wednesday. The following prisoners await trial George Chandler, housebreaking ■ and false pretences; John Alexander Gordon, forgery and uttering; Peter Bounell, forgery; Thomas Hawkins, alias Stevens, housebreaking and robbery ; John Thorpe, stealing from the person; Kichard Gordon, horse-stealing.

We have received' * 1 Bradshaw’s Guide’’ for April It contains the usual amount of valuable information, i

A public meeting will be held at the Hutt Mechanics’ Institute this evening at half-past 7 p.m ~ to consider the changes made in charges for tolls in the Hutt County. All those interested are invited to attend.

We learn by telegraph that a crowded meeting of the ratepayers of the Manchester and Kiwitea Ridings was held on Thursday night for the purpose of affirming ihe. desirability of petitioning the Governor to proclaim those ridings a separate county, to be nameddCiwitea, An amendment was proposed, but no ratepayer would second it. The proposition to separate from Mauawatu County was carried with acclamation by the largest meeting ever held iu the district.

The Wellington Amateur Athletic Club sports take place on the Basin Reserve to-day. The programme, which has been published for some time, will, it may be observed, afford ample amusement for those who attend. His Pxcellenoy the Governor will visit the ground during the day. We are authorised to state that should the weather prove unfavorable the sports will be postponed till Saturday afternoon.

The Easter collections for ministers of the respective Church of England parishes took place yesterday. At St Paul’s the Easter service was exceedingly plain, and only in slight particulars differed from the ordinary s twice. Worship was commenced by singing the 118th hymn “The foe behind, the deep before,” the Psalms were chanted and the “ Te Deum” was sung to Jackson’s music instead of to a double chant. These were the only changes made in the order of morning service. In the evening service was as usual. As an anthem, Pergolesi’s “ Gloria in Excelsis” was beautifully sung. The collection amounted to £62 3s. lid. At St. Peter’s, Bridgewater’s service was used. The collection amounted to £27.

On Saturday last the Pahautanui Rifle Volunteers held their usual monthly drill, and after the inspection was over, Captain Taylor address. d the company as follows :—“ The most of you are aware that some short time ago I tende red my resignation as your captain. One of my reasons for so doing is the long distance from your district at which I reside, and I think it will be better for you to elect. for your captain some person who resides in your own district. lam informed that it is the intention of the Pahautanui brass band to join he company, and I am very happy to hear it. L, think it is a mistake that it has not been Connected with the company from the first. I should advise you to give it all the encouragement and assistance in your power. I now thank you for your orderly conduct and attention during the time you have been under my command ; and as I shall still hold my position as captain of militia in this district, I shall always feel an interest in all matters connected with your company, and I wish you success. It now rests with you to elect your captain.” It was then proposed and carried unanimously that Lieutenant Bradey should be captain of the company. Lieutenant Bradey ttien replied and said: “ I thank you for the honor that you have conferred upon me by electing me as your captain. At the same time 1 regret very much that Captain Taylor has resigned. It is now about seven years since the company was first formed. Mr. Taylor was then elected as our captain, and Mr. Payton lieutenant, who deserves our thanks and good wishes for the praiseworthy and energetic manner in which he fulfilled his duties to the company; but our success is mainly due to Captaih Taylor for the strict attention he has shown upon all occasions in promoting the welfare and interests of the company, and I feel assured that you will acknowledge his services by presenting him with a substantial testimonial. As regards myself, I am fully aware of the responsible and important position in which you have placed me. I know that the success of any company of volunteers depends greatly upon its officers. I shall endeavor to the best of my ability to do my duty, and shall expect the same from all under my command. By so doing, l am sure that the company will maintain the good reputation it has obtained.” It was then proposed and carried that Sub-Lieu-tenant Walker should be lieutenant, and Color-, Sergeant Jones be sub-lieutenant. The noncommissioned officers were then appointed— Sergeant Taylor to be color-sergeant, Corporal Harris to be sergeant, and J. Gardner to be corporal. Several new members were proposed and sworn in, and the question of uniforms was discussed, when it was decided to have a new one of blue cloth.

A correspondent writes that the new bridge across the Manawatu River, on the road from Palmerston to Fitzherhert (and ultimately to Wellington), is fast approaching completion. It will he a fine structure, being 805 ft. long, consisting of seven spans each 85ft., and seven spans of 30ft. as the approaches. These latter are all complete,- as well as two of the main spans, and a third one more than half; at the present rate the work is proceeding there will be five spans completed by the end of April. The pile-driving in this bridge has been very hard in some of the piers, but would have been finished two months ago had it not been for the delay caused by the constant freshets in the river at the end of last year, on account of which it wassuspended for that time. However, there are now only eight piles to drive, which will be finished the first week in April. This bridge was designed by Mr.. J. D. Baird, the Provincial Engineer,' and is on the Howe truss principle. It will ,be a magnificent looking bridge when complete, as well as strong. The piers consist of two rows of piles, five in each row, with an angle pile to form the cutwater; the whole is well-braced and covered with 2iiu. planking Upon the outside of the piles from water-level to the cap. The contractors are Tide' and Co., but the work ls : being carried on for them 1 by Mr. George Hughes, so wellknown as an energetic mafl and bridge-builder. He carried out the construction of the Mana-watu-gorge bridge for Mr. H. McNeill (for which there was so much credit given by the Government), and many other large bridges bn this coast, as well as some very heavy works in Auckland and elsewhere. The bridge will be open for traffic in about three months if the weather is favorable for the work. This will be :a great boon to those settlers who are now waiting for the completion before going to live on their land. Mr. Millar, who was Government inspector in the Wairarapa, has been over this bridge since the work was commenced. ! Wo have received a copy of the annual report of the Melbourne Athenseum, one of the leading ’ social institutions of Melbourne, and which is excellently managed by the secretary, the well-known Mr. Garnet Walch. Attached to the report there are several suggestive’ tables, some of no particular interest to New Zealand. One, however, is of general utility, viz., a table showing the proportions in ivhich the various classes of works have been issued during the past five years. This shows how rapidly novel reading is increasing as a means of amusement. t ln 1872,, 12,815 works of fiction were issued; last year, 35,408 ; while the issue of classical works has decreased in the same period from 150 to 69, and tine arts, 48 to 26. History "has increased from 618 to 996. In 1872 12,815 works of fiction were issued, as against 7211 of works of other classes (thirty-six classes in all). In 1876 the issue of works of fiction had increased to 35,408, while the issue of other works had increased to 7907. These figures are highly suggestive, and should have their effect in inducing library managers to be careful in their selection of the class of books which find such general circulation. btrangers paying a visit to Wellington, and country settlers ] arriving in town, are very often at a loss to know which is the best house or cheapest general drapery establishment to visit for buying drapery and clothing. J. ‘McDowell and Co. offer special advantages that can bo met with nowhere else in the city. They keep at all times the largest and best assorted stock of every clasaof goods, imported direct from the ‘leading manufacturers of Great Britain and Ireland, which, being bought on the most advantageous terms, enables them to offer goods of sterling qualities at prices that cannot be improved on by any house in the trade. Every article is marked at a fixed price that cannot be deviated from, for ready money, from which there is no deviation ; so that inexperienced people are as well served as the best judges ; the terms being net cash, without rebate or abatement of any kind. A full description of stock can be obtained from our catalogues and advertisement. Note the address—Opposite the Bank of Now Zealand, corner of Lambton-quay and AVillis-street, Wellington.— Advt,

There were no cases for hearing on the charge-sheet at the Resident Magistrate’s Court on Saturday. A soiree will be held at St. George’s Hall this evening, under the management of the Wellington Athletic Club. A number of appeals against rating of property in the Wellington country districts were heard by Mr. Crawford on Saturday. At the Odd Fellows’ Hall on Saturday evening a seiree dansante was held, the attendance being very good.