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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5009, 13 April 1877, Page 2

The Government have been advised by cable that the Australia, with the London mails of 10th March, left San Francisco on 29th March. The City of New York, with the March New Zealand mails, arrived at San Francisco on 6th April. We understand that the members of the Wellington Club have invited Sir William Fitzherbert to dine with them at the Club House next Tuesday evening. His Excellency the Governor has intimated that he will be present, and invitations have been sent to Commodore Hoskins and other officers belonging to H.M. ships Wolverene and Sapphire. It is proposed to give a citizens' ball to Commodore Hoskins and the officers of H.M. 6hips now in port. The following tenders were received at the Public Works Office, Wellington, for the erection of a store at Newmarket :—Accepted : William Cameron, £793. Declined : William Philcox, £997 ; Charles Rhodes, £ll2O ; Messrs. Watson and Co., £1144 ; G. J. Matthews, £1212 45.; John Taylor, £1232. Mr. E. W. Lowe, late chief clerk iu the Wellington branch of the Australian Mutual Provident Society in Wellington, has received the appointment of resident secretary and head of the New Zealand agency, rendered vacant by the death of Mr, Dyer. We understand that a number of gentlemen are moving with the endeavor of procuring the Humane Society's medal for Mr. Ferris, who saved husband, wife, and child from drowning just off the breastwork on Monday night. There can be no doubt that Mr. Ferris acted with great bravery. It is no light matter to jump into the water where three persons are struggling for life—indeed it can only be done at the risk of the life of the person who so acts ; and when the attempt is successfully made, such gallant conduct should be recognised. Mr. Ferris performed the deed on Monday evening, and we should bo much pleased to see him receive the medal, particularly as we happen to recollect that some twelve months ago he saved a couple of lives in much the same manner.

The ship Pleione has brought out an immense quantity of plant and material for the Gas Company, which we understand cost about £SOOO, the freight being over £BOO. Another large parcel is to follow ; a further supply of mains have been ordered, aud will soon reach the colony. The additional buildings in course of erection are being proceeded with rapidly by the contractor, Mr. Brown, and every endeavor is being made to be prepared to supply the extra demand for gas which always occurs during the meeting of Parliament. In addition to the many attractions afforded by the concert in aid of the funds of St. Mark's Church which have already appeared in the programme, there will be a baritone sonc by a vocal amateur from Dunediu, who is said to be possessed of a really magnificent voice. The song will be introduced towards the end of the first part, and is " The Hunter's Farewell." Whilst drawiug attention to this really fine programme, it may be as well to remind holders of -tickets for sale that it is necessary all unsold tickets should be returned at Mr. Charles Bonniugton's music warehouse before 5.30 this afternoon. Judging Erom the number of tickets sold, there will be a very large and fashionable audience. The Bijou Variety Troupe open at the Odd Fellows' Hall to-morrow evening for the night only. Owing to the hall being eugaged, they then take a trip to the Wairarapa, opeuing in "Wellington again on their return.

Tenders ate invited for certain additions and alterati&is to the Telegraph Office, Wellington. *

We direct attention to the' fine property to be offered by Mr. N. J. Isaacs on the 18 th instant, viz., the Dry River Station, Wairarapa. There was a fair house at the Theatre Royal last night,, when. "Trial by Jury" and " Ivanhoe" were repeated. For Saturday night a grand triple bill "has been prepared, embracing " Trial by Jury," " Ivanhoe," and " Chilperic."

A cricket match is to be played to-morrow afternoon on the Basin Reserve between the Wellington Club' and: a "team chosen from H. M. ships Wolverene and Sapphire. The band of the former ship will be in attendance, therefore those who go to the matqb will at the same time hear some excellent music.

A steam fire engine has just been imported to Napier for the use of the local brigade. The Ilerald says the new engine is one. of SShanil and Mason's first prize brigade engines, of great power, considering-, its. weight. It weighs 26cwt., and will throw 300 gallons per minute, working from one, two, three or four jets. ...

The members of the Choral Society met at Mr. Hunter's rooms yesterday evening. There J was a large attendance and a most brilliant", performance. Notice was given that there would be a special practice for the band and solo singers on Monday evening at the usual place of meeting, and that the. final rehearsal would take place next Thursday evening in the Odd Fellows' Hall, if the hall could be got; if not, in Mi\. Hunter's rooms. ! '.' We call attention to the concert to be given at the Odd Fellows' Hall to-night. It isdn aid of St. Mark's parsonage fund, and such an object alone should secure a large attendance. However, the programme is very attractive. Some exceedingly choice items appear upon it. His Excellency,the'Governor has promised to be present, and we doubt not there will be a large attendance.

A meeting was held last night for the purpose of starting a Football Club in connection with the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club. A number of football players as well as others were present. It was- resolved that the committee of the Athletic Club should for the present manage all matters'in connection with the new ; Football Club. The meeting adjourned till a future evening, when further de-

tails will be considered. A dreadful accident occurred at Mr. Tonics' hay and corn mill yesterday morning, Ijy which 'a young fellow named John Fovell was badly, injured. With others he was engaged in .moving hay from a lower to an upper storey by means of a sling worked by machinery. iWhen attaching the rope to a truss of hay, but before connection was complete, the machinery by some mistake was set in motion, and Fovell's arms were caught by the rope and he was hauled up a considerable distance. A compound fracture was sustained in each arm.

A cricket match has been arranged between a team from the New Zealand Times ■office and a team picked out of the rest of the newspaper and printing offices in Wellington. The following are the teams chosen:— Combined eleven: Messrs. D. Fisher (captain), Kirk, Cording, Roberts, Gray, Flimmer, Keefe, Hillsden, Mitchell, F. Nation, Imnes ; emergency, Osgood and Elder ; umpire, J; Fisher." iNew Zealand Times: Bryce (captain), McKenzie, Crombie, Dunn, O'Connor,- J. Nation, Curry, Clements, Vincent, Perrier, and Kitchen ; emergency, A. Muir and H. Thomson. The match is to be played at the Hutt on Saturday. All players are expected to meet at the railway station at IL2O, in order to depart by, the half-past eleven train. The new skating rink was opened last evening in St. George's Hall to-a fair attendance. The room used ; for ; the purpose is a considerable improvement upon the Odd Fellows' Hall, as the floor is much more even, and the ventilation is good,.the want of which was a greatjdrawbaek in the old skating rink; while the greater width, and altogether the more roomy character of St. George's Hall, renders it well suited for the purpose for which it is now used. Doubtless the skating rink which was opened last evening will become a popular place of amusement during the long winter nights if the affair is carried on in a proper spirit. Last evening a goodly number of the youth of the city ventured to put on the skates; and for beginners some showed considerable proficiency, while others found it rather,a difficult task to keep their equilibrium, and very frequently had to {obey the laws of gravity and mate unpleasantly close acquaintance with the floor. However, accidents of any serious

nature in the rink are of rare occurrence, and those who commence boldly to learn the art of skating should in one night at least be able to keep on their feet without any difficulty, while three or four nights is sufficient to make them proficient. During last night Lillie, Queen of the Skates, and Professor J. E. Taylor gave some exhibitions in the art of linking. This lady and gentleman first went through a number of difficult manoeuvres on the skates, such as rolling on their toes and heels, turning round suddenly, rushing backwards, and gliding along apparently without the least exertion, on one leg. The lady indeed shows great mastery of the art, and goes through all the various postures in a most graceful manner, while Professor Taylor seems to be as much at home with skates as without them. He exhibits all sorts of imaginable figures as he glides round the room, throws his legs about in a wonderful manner, and occasionally executes snatches of some jigs and reels. Indeed Lillie's and the Professor's performances are well worth seeing, as they show to what a pitch of perfection the art of skating can be brought. Lillie and Professor Taylor also sing and dance on the skates, the latter being very good ; but the singing was somewhat spoilt hist night by the music not being sufficiently loud to be heard above the noise produced by the rolling of the skates. The rink is now open to the public on reasonable terms, we believe.