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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5004, 7 April 1877, Page 2

The New Zealand Times monthly summary will be published on Monday. His Worship the Mayor has not yet put the question mentioned in our columns to the City Surveyor, and the City Surveyor has not availed himself of the opportunity afforded by us to answer the same. Under these circumstances we shall have much pleasure in “ returning to our subject" on Monday. The evening papers seem to have completely fuddled themselves over the Te Aro election, which came off yesterday. The Regulation of Local Elections Act is just a little too much for them. On Thurday evening both announced that the polling would as usual take place between 9 and 5, so that no course was left open to the Returning Officer, in order to clear away the misapprehension that might have been created, but to advertise in the Times an extract from the Act, showing that the poll would not close till 6. Even this was not sufficient to convince one paper, which last evening came out with the announcement that the poll would close at 5 , o’clock, while the other journal abused the Returning Officer for mismanagement generally, and particularly for not having given it the advertisement as well as to the Times. The fact is, no advertisement as to hours of polling is necessary under the Act, but the blundering of the angry paper rendered it indispensable. The Government has, it is understood, notified to the officer in command of the Wellington Volunteers its willingness to rent the Market Hall for use as a drillshed for the various town corps. The Market Hall, as it at present stands, is of no use for such purpose, and requires an expenditure of upwards of £2OO to make it available. This sum is much too large to expect the present comparatively small number of volunteers in the city to expend, and considering the very frequent ceremonial parades, salutes, &c., required of these corps at the seat of Government, and the encouragement which ought to be given to the volunteer movement, it is hoped that the Ministry will see its way to grant this sum, which after all is not much, in order to prevent the town corps breaking up. It should also he remembered in connection with this question that there are two cadet corps, consisting of a large number of promising youths, who at present have no place in which to assemble for drill; and bearing in mind the repeated utterances of the late Sir Donald McLean, when Defence Minister, that the Government would do all in its power to foster the volunteer spirit in New Zealand, it is hoped that the Government will put the hall in a fit state for drill, without expecting such a large contribution from the volunteers, who l;ave hitherto invariably turned out when required, not infrequently at considerable loss aud inconvenience.

From a telegrram in another column it would seem that Fishhook’s career is cut short. It will be seen that the horse was deliberately pulled in an unimportant race, and the stewards passed a resolution disqualifying the horse from running on the Oamaru course for the future, and decided to send a copy of the resolution to the other Jockey Clubs'in the colony. The stewards no doubt are greatly to be commended for the action taken ; but it would have been more wise to have disqualified the jockey and owner from ever riding or running a horse. It is a pity that owing to the alleged rascality of an owner and jockey a valuable animal should be lost to the turf, and it is equally unjust that persons who indulge in such practices should have an opportunity of repeating the operation with different horses. The transaction of yesterday seems to show that the Wairarapa Standard was not very far wrong the year before last when it charged Derritt with unfair practices in respect of a race in which this same Fishhook was running. At the commencement of proceedings in the Supreme Court yesterday the Grand Jury made the following presentment:—“The Grand Jury desire to present to your Honor the very insufficient accommodation provided in this city for the various courts of justice, and the urgent necessity which exists for the erection of a suitable building providing sufficient accommodation for the proper administration of justice.— Thos. Buchanan, Foreman.” His Honor concurred in the presentment, Of course it was a financial question; in fact, everything seemed to run on the wheel of finance. There could be no doubt, however, that the accommodation was insufficient, and all who were compelled to attend the Court had felt the inconvenience of it. Mr. Buchanan (the foreman) said that the accommodation of the Grand Jury room wag wretched. His Honor said that it was one of the advantages of the Grand Jury system that some of the principal gentlemen in the place were summoned to undergo some of the hardships that other persons who had business to do in the Court had to put up with. He hoped that it would not be long before proper accommodation would be provided, and he had reason to believe that the Government contemplated providing a new Court House; but some time would probably elapse before it was provided. Mr. Buchanan said he wished to state that the presentment had not been made in consequence of the suggestion of any newspaper, as might be supposed. The fact was that the Grand Jury had prepared the presentment when they last met. His Honor said he did not know that any newspaper had made any suggestion on the subject. He then thanked the Grand Jury and discharged them. The Theatre Eoyal was largely attended last evening, when the comedy “ School for Scandal ” was produced for the first : time during the present season, Mrs. Scott-Siddons appearing in the character of Lady Teazle. Of this lady’s acting in a part played so frequently on almost every stage we may say that we have seen nothing to surpass it in the colony. It is by no means an easy task to perform, but Mrs. Siddons succeeded in giving it a rendering which fully satisfied her audience. Mr. Steele was no less successful as Sir Charles Surface; whilst Mr. Hesford’s Sir Peter Teazle created a favorable impression. Mrs. Stoneham was as usual excellent, playing the part of Mrs. Candor excellently. The scene in which the gossips are congregated provoked considerable amusement, as may be imagined from the choice of players. Miss Morgan impersonated Marla, acting with characteristic taste and carefulness ; and Miss Lawrence performed the task allotted to her, namely, the part of Lady Sneerwell, creditably. The parts of Crabtree (Mr. Power), and Sir Benjamin Backbite (Mr. .Metcalf), were also well played. The piece throughout ran smoothly, and parts of the representation were eminently successful. To-night “Our Boys” will bo produced, the entertainment to conclude With a popular reading by Mrs. Scott-Siddons. We may draw attention to the fact that Mr. J. B. Steele takes a benefit on Monday. The employes of the New Zealand Times Company are to have an outing—in technical language, a “wayzegoose”—to-day. The party leave by the rKJO train for the Lower Hutt, where cricket and a number of other pastimes will be enjoyed. At 6 o’clock they will dine at Host valentine’s, returning to Wellington by special train.' At the Supremo Court last, evening there were several complaints as to the quality of the gas. Ten burners were lighted shortly before 6 o’clock, but the illumination was so far from brilliant that the Judge must have hud some difficulty in reading his notes of the evidence in Gordon’s case to the jury,

A special train will leave Wellington, at 9.30 this evening, returning at 10.10. It will be seen by our telegrams that the dispute between Mr. Proudfoot and the Harbor Board at Dunedin has been settled.

There were oidy two cases (of drunkenness) heard at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday. It will be seen by our Christchurch telegram that Pooley and Bramhall, of the English cricketers, were acquitted on the charge of having wilfully destroyed the property of one Donkin. The evidence of identification seems to have broken down. A week or two ago we mentioned the arrival of Dr. Schwartzbach, occulist and aurist. We understand this gentlemen has been practising with great success since his arrival, and several most difficult operations have been performed for cataract, squint, &c. He remains another week.

Anniversary sermons in connection with the Manners-street Wesleyan Methodist Sabbath School will be preached on Sunday in the Manners-street Church—in the morning, at 11 o’clock, by the Rev. H. Dewsbury, and in the evening, at 6.30, by the Rev. A. Reid. An address will be delivered to the scholars by the Rev. A. Reid, to commence at 3 p.m. The usual tea meeting will be held on Tuesday in the Dixon-street schoolroom.

Everyone is acquainted with the value of the coal mines on the West Coast of the Middle Island. Evidently faith in them is not failing. A new company has been formed to work mines at Westport, and the company has purchased the Government steamer Luna for £4OOO, as being specially adapted by her light draught of water for crossing bar harbors. It is understood that the shares in the new company will be allotted pro rata in the different centres of population in the colony.

The return cricket match between the Rising Star and Thorndon Clubs will be played on the Basin Reserve this afternoon ; play to commence at 2 o’clock sharp. The following are the names of the players:—Rising Stars : Messrs. Smith, S. Kibblewhite, Danks, Godber, Tustin, Helyer, Rae, Mansill, Read, E. Kibblewhite, and Whyte. Thorndoa Cricket Club : Messrs. Kuchen, Milne, Watson, Read, Mills, Gascoigne, Daly, Craig, Freeman, Harris, and Hood.

The proposed concert in aid’of a font and lectern for St. Mark's Church will take place some day next week, of which due notice will be given in our advertising columns. In addition to a very attractive programme, several vocal and instrumental amateurs hitherto unknown to Wellington audiences, and of whom report speaks in the highest terms of praise, have volunteered their valuable assistance. From what we hear of the arrangements, it is safe to predict a most successful entertainment.

There was a fair attendance at St. George’s Hall last evening, when the Devenport Brothers, Professor Fay, and Mr. Davies gave their usual attractive entertainment. The troupe appear again to-night, when no doubt there will be a good attendance. On Monday night the performance will be under the patronage of his Excellency the Governor, Lady Normanby, and suite. Monday night’s performance will positively be the last. The agent starts to-day for Napier to make arrangements for the company appearing there. St. Paul’s choir gave an entertainment in the Polytechnic Hall last evening. We believe this is about the first time the Polytechnic has been used. It is a neatly fitted up room situated at the corner of Johnston and Featherston streets, though rather small. The Kev. B. W. Harvey presided at the entertainment, which was largely attended. The various songs, duets, glees, recitations, &c., were admirably given, and in most cases encores were demanded. We believe a similar entertainment is to come off shortly at the Hutt, in aid of the church building fund. The “ Wellington Monthy Price Current ” for April is to hand. In noticeing the Customs collections for the past nine months of the financial year it says :—“ It is a hopeful sign to see that the amounts collected on goods which pay ad valorem duties (drapery, &c.) are showing some improvement. This is the class of goods .which, as we pointed out in a recent issue, is responsible for all the falling off in the revenue for the past two years, and it is to be hoped that the improvement now observable iu it in Wellington may prove to be general throughout the colony. The amount contributed by this class for the March quarter is £15,546, as against £13,197 for the corresponding period of last year, and a quarterly average of £11,526 for the entire year 1876.” H.M.S. Wolverine, flying the pennant of Commodore Hoskins, Commodore of the Australian station, is expected to drop anchor in port 'this morning. By advertisement in another column it will be seen that the Artillery is directed to parade, as a salute will be fired on the arrival of the vessel, or as soon thereafter as possible. H.M.S. Wolverine, relieving ship to the Pearl, was built in 1863, and is a sister ship to the Orpheus, which was lost on the Manukau bar. This is her fourth commission, her present having taken place in August, 1876. Her appearance is most sightly, andshe can attaingreatspeed under canvas alone, having on her outward trip made many days’ runs at an average of fourteen knots. Under steam with full pressureshe can accomplish Hi knots per hour, and with ordinary pressure a speed of nine knots. The Wolverine has on board a Gatling gun, for ship or field service, It has ten barrels, and discharges 250 shots iu 505e0., and is effective at 1000 yards. She has also a torpedo room, with all the necessary appliances; in short H.M.S. Wolverine is replete with all the modern improvements, either for attack or defence.

The Wananga of Saturday gives a further instalment of the speaking at. the late native meeting at Omahu. On the subject of an increase in the number of Maori members the discussion appears to have taken a curious turn. A gentleman named Tikawanga remarked—“ We shall be overthrown if we have many (Maori) members, as you may see in what has taken place ; two out of the four Maori members have gone to the Government side, and only two members remain true to us. Now, if we have many Maori members we shall suffer greatly.” Renata Kawepo followed in the same strain. He said—“ I will not consent to have many Maori members, as we may elect some poor man who has not any money, who will rejoice because of the Government penny.” The fact that there is a difference of opinion among the natives themselves as to the desirableness of additional representation will not be calculated to strengthen the hands of those who propose to agitate for it. The report, we ( Hawke’s Bay Herald) may say, conveys the impression of being a bona fide one, and this cannot be said for all the reports of native meetings that have been published by our Maori contemporary.!

In reference to the manner in which time is observed at the sittings of the R.M. Court in the Wairarapa District, the Standard of Thursday remarks : —“The Greytown Court sits nominally at 11 a.m., and actually at 1 or 2 p.m. This arrangement occasionally gives rise to a little inconvenience. In the case of Constable Connor v. Cane, the bondsman (Mr. Gallagher) of the prisoner, who had been remanded on the previous day by J. Tully, Esq., J.P., appeared at the Court at 11 a.m. to give up the prisoner and claim the money, £25, which he deposited as security. In the afternoon the prisoner had to be fetched the police, as Mr. Gallagher declined to wait at the courthouse with him. A material witness in the case was present at 11 a.m., but was absent when the Court sat. This proved fortunate for the prisoner, though it is a question whether it was favorable to the ends of justice. As a rule witnesses wait the uncertain arrival of the 8.M., and frequently when he does appear the former have disappeared, and the latter has in his turn to wait. Hence the whole proceedings of the Court become irregular in the extreme, and cases are disposed of by a rule of thumb, which is unsatisfactory. Our duty to the public forces us to say this. We trust we shall not have occasion to recur to this subject.”